Philadelphia, PA - Narberth, PA. is now the very first community in Pennsylvania to regulate single-use plastics in an Oct 17th council vote; the new bill will restrict single-use plastic straws at restaurants as well as plastic bags at retail shops.
Pennsylvania Town Bans Plastic Bags and Straws at Local Business
The law will begin in 60 days from the bills passing. When put into law, consumers who ask for a plastic bag at a store or market within the Montgomery County community are going to be charged 10 cents, for every bag, except if requested by a disabled customer.Establishments will additionally be banned from passing out plastic straws, except for when a customer asks for one. Straws are not going to be taxed like bags since many individuals with disabilities might need to have one to drink.
The trend has been growing in the last couple of months, especally once Starbucks announced it would retire plastic straws at every one of its coffeehouses by the year 2020. On the West Coast, its already been fashionable for a while. California prohibited single-use plastic bags back in 2014, pointing out the hazards in waterways as well as wildlife. Seattle passed a simular law in 2012.
Narberth's plastic ban has captured the interest of two state lawmakers in Pennsylvania who want to expand a portion of the law statewide. State Sen. Daylin Leach along with Rep. Mary Jo Daley have introduced legislation to restrict Pennsylvania businesses along with restaurants from passing out single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer. If made law Pennsylvania businesses might face penalties up to $2,000 for 3 or more infractions.