Free Reusable Shopping Bags
The City of Tacoma is giving away free reusable bags while supplies last to help shoppers with the Bring Your Own Bag ordinance. Bags are given out primarily through social service organizations including food banks, Tacoma Housing Authority, community centers, Tacoma Rescue Mission, and Tacoma Public Libraries. View a complete list of organizations partnering to distribute free reusable bags to Tacoma area shoppers.
Reusable bags are also available for pickup from the TacomaFIRST 311 Customer Support Center located on the second floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market Street).
Additionally, shoppers can get a free reusable bag while supplies last by visiting the City of Tacoma's Environmental Services booth at 2017 community events this summer. Resources to help shoppers remember to bring their own bag while shopping will also be available. These resources will include door-hangers, window clings, and shopping list reminders. Events include tabling at grocery stores as well as the following events:
- Rainiers Game July 2, 12-4 PM at Cheney Stadium (2502 S. Tyler St.)
- Eastside Tacoma Farmers Market July 5, 3-6 PM (1724 E. 44th St.)
- Proctor Farmers Market July 8, 9 AM-2 PM (N. 27th & Proctor St.)
- Tacoma Pride July 8, 12 PM-5 PM (9th & Pacific Ave.)
- South Tacoma Farmers Market July 9, 11 AM-3 PM at the STAR Center (3873 S. 66th St.)
- Art On the Ave July 9, 11 AM-7 PM on 6th Ave. (from State St. to Alder)
- Broadway Tacoma Farmers Market July 13, 10 AM-3 PM (S. 9th & Broadway)
- Ethnic Fest July 29-30, 12-7 PM in Wright Park (501 S. I St.)
- Summer Bash August 4, 5-8:30 PM at Stewart Heights Park (402 E. 56th St.)
- Proctor Arts Fest August 5, 10 AM-5 PM in Proctor Business District (N. 26th & N. Proctor St.)
- McKinley Hill Street Fair August 19, 10 AM-5 PM (3500 McKinley Ave.)
- Hilltop Street Fair August 26, 11 AM-7 PM (S. 9th - S. 13th & M.L.K. Jr Way)
Bag Share Program
The Bag Share program seeks to increase access to reusable bags in Tacoma. Do you have extra bags that you never use? Or are you heading out shopping, but don't have a bag? Stop by a Bag Share location and either leave a clean reusable bag or pick one up when you are in need.
Where to Find Bag Share Bins
Find Bag Share bins at the following locations:
Tips to Remember Reusable Bags
- Keep reusable bags by your door or in your vehicle.
- Try keeping your bags in the front of the car where you can see them.
- Place a "grab the bags" sticky note on your dash or car door handle.
- Small foldable bags can go in your purse, briefcase, or backpack, or can be attached to your key chain.
- Make "bring shopping bags" the first item on your grocery list.
Keeping Reusable Bags Clean
To keep reusable bags clean, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department recommends that you wrap raw meat in plastic and throw away the plastic bag, keep reusable bags dry when not in use, wash cloth bags once a week in hot water with detergent and dry in the dryer, and clean plastic lined reusable bags with hot water and soap and allow to air dry before storing.
Frequently Asked Questions
View or download the Shopper Frequently Asked Questions.