Walmart Introduces New Bagging Policy in 100 Stores

This isn’t the way many shoppers hoped to begin 2023, but Walmart is rolling out a new bagging policy in 100 stores, and it may be the start of a wider change across the chain.

What’s changing at checkout

Beginning January 1st, shoppers at more than 100 Walmart locations will encounter a new approach to disposable bags. According to reporting from the U.S. Sun, these stores will charge 10¢ per bag — whether paper or plastic — at checkout.

This follows a broader move toward encouraging reusable shopping bags and cutting down on single-use plastic. The fee applies when a customer does not bring reusable bags and needs a disposable bag at checkout.

Company rationale and environmental goals

Eliminating single-use bags is part of our commitment to achieve zero waste across our operations and ultimately shift gradually toward a circular economy built on advancing reuse, refill, and recycling habits.

Lauren Willis, the Walmart Western US Director of Communications

Walmart frames the change as part of its sustainability goals: reducing single-use items, increasing reuse and recycling, and moving toward zero waste in operations. Charging for disposable bags is intended to nudge shoppers toward bringing their own reusable bags.

How this affects shoppers

For shoppers, the immediate effect is simple: if you forget reusable bags, you’ll likely pay for disposable bags at the register. That extra 10¢ per bag is small on a single item but adds up over time and across many customers. The change can be inconvenient for people who rely on store bags out of habit, unexpected shopping trips, or when carrying fragile or multiple items.

If you regularly forget reusable bags, consider keeping a small foldable bag in your car or purse. That simple habit avoids the charge and supports the company’s intended environmental goals.

Where this is already in place

Walmart has already moved to a bag fee or bag-free policy in certain states, including Vermont, Maine, and New Jersey. In 2023, Colorado was added as a state where the company extended this approach to additional stores; the recent change affects 100 Colorado locations specifically.

At this point, the policy is limited to the stores announced, but shoppers and advocacy groups will likely watch closely to see if Walmart expands the program to more locations.

Price impacts and customer questions

Some customers wonder whether savings from fewer free bags will translate into lower prices on goods. That outcome seems unlikely in the short term; a 10¢ bag fee is more about behavior change than direct consumer price adjustments. The fee is small relative to overall grocery spending, but it’s a visible reminder of the store’s sustainability push.

Ultimately, this policy asks shoppers to plan ahead. Bring reusable bags when possible, and be prepared to pay a modest fee for disposable bags when needed. Whether you view the change as an inconvenience or a helpful incentive for greener habits, it represents a clear shift in how a major retailer approaches single-use plastics and waste.