Grocery stores, convenience stores and drugstores will get to keep 20% of the revenue generated by Richmond’s 5-cent plastic bag tax, which was approved by City Council on Monday night and will go into effect on Jan. 1.

Officials say they expect the tax to generate around $400,000 in revenue during the first year, with stores in Richmond collectively receiving $80,000 of that amount. That will help “alleviate any potential administrative burdens” for stores collecting the 5 cents per bag, according to the tax ordinance.

In subsequent years, the revenues are expected to shrink.

The funds must be used on environmental cleanup, mitigating litter and pollution, environmental education programs and providing reusable bags to SNAP and WIC benefit recipients.

Tax expected to discourage plasti

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