VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Environmentalists in Virginia Beach are calling for the city to enforce a fee on single-use plastic bags in hopes of encouraging more reusable bag use. 

“It really is pretty simple. We see plastic bags as a problem,” said Dylan Mason, who’s a public policy manager at Lynnhaven River Now. 

The Lynnhaven River Now nonprofit says Virginia Beach can reduce plastic bag pollution by passing an ordinance placing a five-cent fee on single-use plastic bags. 

“We’re tackling plastic pollution and promoting behavior change through our own efforts as a local nonprofit. We host waterway and neighborhood cleanups, sewing workshops where people can craft their own bags out of old clothing, so upcycling,” said Mason, “But elevating to the public, Virginia Beach-scale is what we really look to do.”

Currently, 11 cities in Virginia, Richmond being the latest, implement a bag fee for single-use plastic bags. 

Mason is spearheading what he said is a resurgence of efforts to boost environmental awareness and sustainability in the resort city. 

“Locally, we see plastics littering our waterways, our natural spaces, they endanger wildlife, and they block storm drains,” Mason explained. 

The environmentalist told 13News Now that Lynnhaven River Now has drafted a 31-page-long Plastic Bag Tax Implementation Plan for Virginia Beach city officials to consider. 

They’re hoping to not only change consumer behavior but also mitigate some of the issues that couple with plastic bag pollution. 

“This is something that only affects drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores,” said Mason. “Four cents remitted to the city, and one cent is kept by the retailer for administrative costs.”  

Mason said if passed, by law the five-cent fee will serve as a revenue stream for environmental education. In addition, reusable bag distribution will be mandatory to those in need, including WIC and SNAP recipients. 

“We hope that Virginia Beach will set the pace for the region and join the 11 other localities that are already reaping the benefits,” said Mason, “We have an extensive wealth of waterways and natural areas here in Hampton Roads. And we can really demonstrate our leadership in conservation and sustainability by adopting this fee.”  

Currently, reusable bags are distributed at area food banks thanks to a Lynnhaven River Now initiative.

Lynnhaven River Now encourages anyone in support of a plastic bag fee to attend the Human Rights Commission meeting Thursday at the Fire Administration Building at 4 p.m.