You may have noticed that cashiers on campus are no longer providing bags automatically at checkout or asking if you'd like a bag with a small fee. This change is due to the Baltimore City Comprehensive Bag Reduction Act, which went into effect Oct. 1, 2021.
Single-use plastic bags will no longer be provided to customers at checkout, but an alternative bag may be provided upon request with a small fee. This law affects all Baltimore City businesses, but here at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, you will see that:
- Seven Scholars Bookstore will provide an alternative paper bag to customers who request one with an additional charge of 5 cents.
- The Café at SMC Campus Center is not offering any bags (neither single-use nor alternative).
- Crema Coffee Café will continue using kraft paper bags with no additional charge.
Another option? Bring your own reusable bag!
You can find more information on Baltimore City's Office of Sustainability's website.