Austin Bag Ban
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Exemptions for the Austin Bag Ban Ordinance

  1. Plastic bags: 4 mil in thickness or greater with handles
  2. Paper bags: made of 40% recycled content with handles
  3. Cloth or another type of reusable bag made out of durable materials
  4. Laundry, newspaper, and waste bags:
    • Bags used for laundry dry cleaning bags, door-hanger bags, newspaper bags.
    • Packages of multiple bags intended for use as garbage, pet waste, or yard waste.
  5. Pharmaceutical and veterinarian bags:
    • Bag must be made of paper and used only for prescription drugs or other medical necessities.
  6. Restaurant bags:
    • Restaurant bag must be made of paper for take-away food. Single-use plastic bags are only allowed if necessary to prevent moisture damage, such as transportation of soups, sauces, salad dressing, and other liquids.
  7. Non-Checkout Bags:
    • Bags used inside the business to contain bulk items, to wrap frozen foods, to prevent moisture damage, and to contain unwrapped foods such as baked goods (i.e. produce bags).
  8. Charity Nonprofits:
    • Bags used by a nonprofit or other hunger relief organization to distribute food, clothing or other household items.
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