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DC Grocers Prepare for Bag Tax

WASHINGTON — The largest supermarket retailers in the nation’s capital are preparing to give away free reusable bags during the coming week as a new 5-cent tax on both paper and plastic grocery bags takes effect Jan. 1.

WASHINGTON — The largest supermarket retailers in the nation’s capital are preparing to give away free reusable bags during the coming week as a new 5-cent tax on both paper and plastic grocery bags takes effect Jan. 1.

Landover, Md.-based Giant Food, a division of Ahold USA, will provide every shopper with as many free reusable bags as it takes to pack their order from Jan. 1 to Jan. 7, Jamie Miller, a spokesman for chain, told SN. He said the chain estimates it will give away 250,000 bags in that time period. The bags, a solid green color with the Giant logo, normally sell for 99 cents each.

In addition, Giant will continue to offer a 5-cent discount per bag to customers who bring in their own grocery bags.

California-based retailers Safeway and Trader Joe’s, both of which operate stores in the D.C. area, also are planning to give reusable bags away with purchases, local reports said. Safeway also was distributing bags through local charities, according to the reports.

Harris Teeter, based in Matthews, N.C., will give away free reusable bags to customers who have a VIC loyalty card and spend at least $20 in the store.

The Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Act allows retailers to keep 2 cents of the 5-cent tax if they also offer a 5-cent discount to customers who bring their own bags. Otherwise, they retain only 1 cent of the tax.

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