All stores in Howard County who provide customers a disposable plastic bag at the point of sale are required to charge 5 cents per bag starting Oct. 1. Customers cannot be charged if they use their own bag for their purchases.

The bag fee is in place to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags and the costs incurred with removing them from the environment. The bag fee will also raise awareness about single-use plastics and their associated environmental impacts.

For more information, visit livegreenhoward.com/recycling-waste/plastic-bag-fee.