The Better Bag Bill
Effective January 1, 2024, Prince George’s County CB-032-2023 prohibits all retail establishments from providing plastic carryout bags to shoppers. Instead, shoppers must pay a fee for paper carryout bags and reusable bags. Shoppers can bring their own reusable bags or containers (such as cardboard boxes) to avoid the fee. Cardboard can be used multiple times and should be flattened before recycling in County curbside collections.
Who is Affected?
All businesses —not just grocery stores— will be required to provide either paper bags or reusable bags, at a minimum of 10 cents per bag, at the point of sale. Reusable bags are defined as stitched, handled bags specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuses, and is either: made of cloth or other washable fabric, OR a durable material suitable for reuse that is not made of plastic film.
What is the Purpose?
The use of single-use plastic carryout bags by consumers at retail establishments is considered detrimental to the environment and that it is in the best interests of maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of County residents and visitors to reduce the distribution of single-use plastic bags.
Read our blog here on how Prince George’s is “Bagging it Right.” More information on the bill and business resources can be found here.
Reduce Single-Use Disposable Foodware
Effective June 1, 2023, Prince George's County CB-014-2022 regulates the distribution of single-use foodware accessories and standard condiments by food facilities to customers.
What is the purpose of CB-014-2022?
To reduce unnecessary waste generated from single-use disposable items in the retail food industry;
Improve the health and safety of community members; and
Help keep our waterways clean and safe.
What are single-use foodware accessories?
Single-use items, including straws, utensils, condiment cups and packets, cup sleeves, splash sticks, stirrers, and napkins, provided with ready-to-eat food and designed to be used once and then discarded.
Straw Ban
As of July 1, 2020, Prince George’s County legislation (CB-52-2019) banned straws and stirrers that are not reusable or meet the home-compostable standard. According to the law:
Foodservice businesses are prohibited from selling, distributing, or otherwise providing a straw or stirrer with food or beverage unless they are reusable or compostable.
Retail businesses are prohibited from selling, distributing, or otherwise providing a straw or stirrer directly to consumers unless they also have for sale a straw or stirrer meeting the home-compostable standard.
Click here to review a copy of the legislation.
Why ban plastic straws and stirrers?
Plastic straws and stirrers are a major part of roadside and marine litter. Rather than decomposing, they break down into harmful microplastics that leach chemicals and contaminate soil and water. This ban contributes to the County’s source reduction efforts in its 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan and addresses the objectives of Maryland’s 2014 Zero Waste Plan.
What products can be used instead?
Instead of plastic, use alternatives with less environmental impact:
Paper straws
Reusable straws made from metal, glass, bamboo, silicone, or rigid plastic
Stirrers made of wood
How will the law be enforced?
Prince George’s County Recycling Inspectors will conduct random visits to Food Service and/or Retail Businesses and will issue warnings and/or fines to foodservice providers using non-compliant products starting January 1, 2021.
For more information, please contact the Department of Environment, Recycling Section, Inspection Unit at (301) 883-3635 or visit our website.
Foam Free in PGC
Starting July 1, 2016, polystyrene (commonly referred to as “styrofoam”), polystyrene loose fill packaging (also known as “packing peanuts”), and other foam articles are not permitted for sale or use in Prince George's County.
Why the Ban?
To reduce the amount of polystyrene waste entering the landfill and local waterways, the County is requiring the use of non-foam food packaging products that are environmentally friendly and for everyone to be "Foam Free in PGC."
The Law Does Not Apply To:
Food and beverages filled and sealed in foam containers prior to receipt by the food service business. Foam packaging for raw, uncooked or butchered meat, fish, poultry or seafood for off-premises consumption.
What Can be Used or Sold?
There are many non-foam food packaging alternatives. Some examples include recyclable and compostable containers that are rigid plastic or paper-based. View a list of vendors that offer alternative and compliant products.
Who is Affected?
Businesses located in Prince George's County that sell or use foam products to provide food or beverages at any time are regulated by the ban (including, but not limited to the following):
Food carts or trucks
Full and limited-service restaurants
Pack and ship stores
Retailers and wholesalers selling disposable dishware, storage containers, packing materials and polystyrene products
Shippers
Supermarkets and grocery stores
Cafes and delicatessens
Cafeterias
Coffee shops
Convenience stores
Discount stores
Dollar stores
Fast food restaurants
Enforcement
Warnings will be issued for the first violation. A $250 fine will be issued for the second violation and a $1,000 fine for the third violation within a 12-month period. Each day a violation exists is a separate offense.
Questions?
DoE is here to help! Need more information on being “Foam Free in PGC” or have additional questions not answered above? Contact Vaughn Barkdoll at FoamFreePGC@co.pg.md.us or view the “Foam Free in PGC” Frequently Asked Questions (PDF). If you are a business interested in receiving information on how to comply with the law or apply for a hardship, please dial 3-1-1.
Help Spread the Word
Share information about being “Foam Free in PGC” with this informative handout (PDF) that explains the law, examples of foam packaging that cannot be sold or used, and which businesses are affected.
Coal Tar Sealant Ban
Effective July 1, 2015, it is illegal to sell, use or permit the use of coal tar pavement products on property in Prince George's County (review a copy of CB-6-2015 (PDF)). Contractors or property owners that use a coal tar pavement product are subject to a fine of up to $1,000 per day for each violation. Coal tar pavement products are a thick black or brown liquid that is a byproduct of the carbonization of coal and is applied to asphalt and concrete surfaces. Coal tar pavement is used to seal the following:
Airport runways and lots
Driveways
Parking lots
Playgrounds
Recreational trails
Purpose
The ban will minimize the unnecessary stormwater runoff of harmful and persistent chemicals into the environment. Coal tar products contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to cause cancer in humans and are toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Studies found that PAHs are significantly elevated in stormwater flowing from parking lots and other areas where coal tar products were used as compared to stormwater flowing from areas not treated with the sealant.
For example, one study found the number of PAHs in stormwater runoff was 65 times higher from parking lots sealed with coal-tar sealant vs. stormwater from unsealed parking lots. Another study found that coal tar products are the largest source of PAHs to urban lakes. PAHs from coal tar products may accumulate in the sediment of stormwater ponds, requiring expensive disposal of the dredged PAH-contaminated sediment.
Alternatives
As an alternative, pavement options such as pervious concrete, permeable asphalt and paver systems do not require sealants. These types of pavements allow for stormwater to naturally infiltrate, resulting in decreased runoff. Property owners should use safer approved products including asphalt-based sealants and latex sealants to complete their do-it-yourself projects. For those hiring a contractor to perform the work, make sure you request they use a coal tar-free product and to see the ingredient list or a copy of the Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with clear ingredient identification. If a safety data sheet is not available, ask for more information or move to a product or supplier who offers one. Most local home improvement stores and other retailers carry asphalt-based or latex sealants.
Henry
HE130 Driveway Sealer
HE175 Driveway Sealer
HE532 Driveway Sealer
Gardner
Blackjack Black Maxx 600 (PDF)
Blackjack Commercial (PDF)
Blackjack Drive - Maxx 700 (PDF)
Blackjack Drive-Kote 500 (PDF)
Blackjack Drive-Seal 200 (PDF)
Blackjack New Black 300 (PDF)
Blackjack Speed-Coat (PDF)
Blackjack Ultra - Maxx 1000 (PDF)
Gardner Drive 5 (PDF)
Gardner Driveaseal II (PDF)
Gardner Max 10 (PDF)
Gardner Pro 7 (PDF)
Commercial/Wholesale
GSB-88 (Gilsonite)
Gemseal
Black Diamond (PDF)
Guardian AE (PDF)
Seal Master
MasterSeal Pavement Sealer (PDF)
Prince George's County will continually seek ways to educate property owners, contractors, producers, applicators and the general public about the County's coal tar ban and to work with partners to implement the ban. Residents are encouraged to periodically check this web site for updates as they develop.