Plastic Bags Are On The Way Out Of Tredyffrin Township

TREDYFFRIN TWP, PA —Tredyffrin township supervisors Monday night unanimously agreed to hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags in retail stores.

The goal is to reduce the use of single bags to protect local streams, rivers and waterways.

A public hearing is scheduled at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 in the township building 1100 Duportail Road, Berwyn.

The ordinance would go into effect six months after the ordinance is approved.

The proposed fines would be $100 for first violation, $200 for second violation, and $500 for each subsequent violation.

There are numerous commercial establishments in the township that use single-use plastic bags, including grocery stores, drug stores and other retail establishments.

Pennsylvania does not have a statewide ban on plastic bags, but several municipalities have issued bans.

They include Philadelphia and Pittsburgh; Easttown, Haverford and West Goshen townships, the boroughs of Narberth and West Chester.

Supervisor K.S. Bhasker, a liaison to the township Environmental Advisory Council, said the ban is much needed.

Bhasker said the plastic bags going into stormwater puts first responders at risk.

“Now is the time to move,” he said.

Supervisor Sharon Humble noted there are places throughout the township where residents can drop off plastic bags for recycling.

Tracy Viola, an associate member of the township’s Environmental Advisory Committee, said Wegmans grocery store has committed to banning plastic bags by 2023.

In 2014, California was the first state in the nation to adopt a statewide ban.