Plastic Bags On Their Way Out Of Radnor

RADNOR TWP, PA —Radnor commissioners voted 5 to 1 Tuesday night to grant preliminary approval of an ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags.

Moira Mulroney, president, said final approval will be voted on at another meeting. Commissioner Abel Jake voted against the ordinance.

Several municpalities in the region have banned single-use bags including Philadelphia, Easttown and Haverford townships and Narberth and West Chester boroughs.

Margaret Reinert, chairwoman of the Environmental Advisory Commission, provided a presentation on the proposed ordinance.

She said banning the plastic bags help curb litter, protect streams, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and preserve the natural scenic and historical values of the township.

The ban would not take effect until six months after the ordinance is adopted.

Bags used to package fruit and vegetables, newspapers and laundry bags would be exempt under the proposed ordinance.

Reinhart said that many businesses in Radnor use plastic bags.

She said the Wawa, Giant, Lancaster County Farmers Market, and the Wayne Business Association were notified.

Commissioner Lisa Borowski said the ordinance is a great start.

Commissioners Sean Farhy said that he would like to eliminate the10 cent cost to sell the paper bags.

Farhy said it’s a lot of extra work for small businesses to charge 10 cents per bag.

Reinhart said the 10 cent fee would help the stores get reimbursed for the costs for paper bags.

“Paper bags are also a huge environmental cost,” she said.

Under the proposal a violation of the ordinance would carry a $50 fine for the first offense; a $100 fine for the second offense; and $200 fine for the third offense.