Newtown Resolves To Reduce Single-Use Plastics

NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to reduce the use of single-use plastics in the township last week.

Elaine McCarron of the Environmental Advisory Council presented the resolution to the township, explaining that the goal is primarily to educate around the harmful environmental impacts of plastics.

"Nothing we use for a short period of time should pollute our environment for centuries," the committee wrote in an overview of the proposal.

The committee hopes the resolution will incentivize Newtown restaurants and businesses to replace carry-out bags, straws, cutlery, and polystyrene foam food containers with biodegradable or compostable alternatives.

The resolution further "encourages the Newtown Township Environmental Advisory Council and other volunteers to educate and inform Township businesses, residents and visitors about the need for voluntary single-use plastic reduction."

An overview from the council also cited nearby peer municipalities with plastics resolutions, including Doylestown, West Chester, Solebury, Narberth, and Northampton.

"This is the first of many steps to try to make Newtown Township more environmentally friendly for future generations," supervisor Elen Snyder told Patch. "Renewable energy sources for our township are the next thing that our Environmental Advisory Committee and I would like to set our sights on along with the preservation of open space."

She sees this as an environmental responsibility as well as a demonstration of commitment to preserving a beautiful Newtown.

"We have a pristine township of which I am so proud to call my home," she said. "I’ll do anything in my power to try to keep it that way."

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