Shoppers along the Route 1 corridor will no longer get disposable plastic bags at most stores, as a new county ordinance went into effect this week.

As of Jan. 1, Prince George’s County has banned retailers from offering single-use plastic bags and is promoting paper and reusable bags instead.

The change is designed in part to reduce litter which typically ends up in storm drains and, eventually, the Anacostia River. While plastic bags used to be the most common trash found in the river, a recent study found that they have dropped dramatically due to recent changes in the law.

“Plastic bags do not biodegrade and contaminate our local waterways, causing harm to marine life, clogging our storm drains, and littering our streets and communities,” county environmental director Andrea Crooms said in a recent press release.

There are some exceptions. The ban does not apply to bulk produce, bakeries, fish and meat, flowers or dry cleaning.

The ordinance also requires retailers to charge at least 10 cents for every paper or reusable bag they provide, although exceptions are provided for prescription drugs, take-out meals and drive-thru fast food.

Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties have similar bans that went into effect this week.

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