Although we thought we’d have more time to share the details of what’s going on, we’re happy to bring you up to date.
Next month in October, legislation for a small (5 cent) single-use bag fee (ie, plastic or paper) will be introduced in City Council. Sponsored by Council member Mark Squilla, we also have 4 co-sponsors of the bill and are hoping for more. Any money collected from the bill will go to help fund schools, which are significantly underfunded.
If you’re wondering why we’re charging for ‘free’ bags, we have to make one thing clear: Plastic Bags aren’t free. Retailers embed the cost into your grocery bill, which means you pay for them already. This legislation will break out the cost so that consumers can make their own, more educated decision.
The industry has already begun to lobby against this bill. So we NEED your help. Visit our DitchTheBag website, Sign our petition and Tweet #DitchTheBag or Email/Call your City Council Member!
Thanks to the amazing Twitterverse (Especially Marissa Rosen) for all the Tweets uploaded! Here are some of our favs:
85% of the plant species on Earth require bees and other pollinators to exist! – @NerdNitePhilly #nerdnite
— Marissa Rosen (@MarissaR1) September 19, 2013
#philly‘s #recycling rates get compared to #SFO and #Austin! Go Philly! #nerdnite
— Sustainability NEXUS (@sustain_nexus) September 19, 2013
Phil Bresee: “Recycling is a gateway to other positive environmental behaviors.” @PhiladelphiaGov @NerdNitePhilly
— Marissa Rosen (@MarissaR1) September 19, 2013
#Recycling creates jobs at a rate of 1:10 vs. disposal! @GreenworksPhila @NerdNitePhilly
— Marissa Rosen (@MarissaR1) September 18, 2013
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