After 16 years, the city of Philadelphia will finally see regulations on plastic bags.
Starting July 1st, there will be a ban on single-use plastic bags to reduce plastic waste and clean up the city’s streets and waterways. All commercial businesses will be included from food, clothing, home goods, and delivery. Dry cleaner bags, garbage bags, or bags for perishable foods (I.e., fish, meats, flowers, etc.) for goods sold inside stores are not included in the ban. Even so, the change will not happen overnight.
There will be a nine-month awareness, education, and warning period before full enforcement begins. Businesses will be required to hang signage about the ban by August 1, 2021, with a full prohibition of plastic bags starting October 1st. On April 1, 2022, the city will enforce the ban with penalties to businesses.
The city has released business resources, including downloadable signage, complaint bag vendors, presentations, and flyers available on its website.
There have been several failed efforts to reduce plastic bags. Office of Sustainability Director, Christine Knapp, began her advocacy career with an effort in 2005.
Logan Welde, Staff Attorney and Director of Legislative Affairs of Clean Air Council, has been working on efforts with Councilman Mark Squilla and environmental groups for nine years.
(Disclaimer: Green Philly spearheaded a “Ban the Bag Day” and petition in 2012, gaining traction on the efforts. As a rebranded media organization, we no longer are involved in political efforts.)
Philadelphians use almost 1 billion plastic bags each year, resulting in over 10,000 hours of lost staff time at the recycling facility, litter on the streets and waterways, and taxpayer dollars.
Catch up on the latest sustainability news: 25 Philly-Area Solar for Schools grants awarded. Lawmakers…
Green Century has helped investors and businesses support the planet, not polluters, for over 30…
In a bid to improve public safety, quality of life initiatives are bringing brighter lights…
Catch up on this week's sustainability news: New public orchard and gateway garden at Penn…
Consumers want authentic sustainability from suppliers. Without flashy funding or shortcuts, here's how these local…
The transit agency may look drastically different if Harrisburg doesn’t act. Here are the key…