Upper Dublin begins to enforce the single-use plastic bag restrictions this week

As Whitpain Township continues to debate a similar ordinance, the Township of Upper Dublin is in the process of starting to phase in its single-use plastic bags regulations.

Upper Dublin Township Board of Commissioners will now enforce Ordinance #24-1389, prohibiting retail establishments from providing single-use plastic bags, this week.

On March 12, 2024, the Commissioners adopted the ordinance regulating the use of single-use plastic bags. It officially became effective on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, which was exactly 180 days from the enactment of the ordinance, per the Commissioners’ decision.

All retail establishments in Upper Dublin Township will be prohibited from providing single-use plastic bags or “bags that do not qualify as reusable bags” to a customer at the retail establishment or through a delivery service.

According to the ordinance, “retailers may provide the consumer-compliant recyclable paper bags for a charge of $0.10 per bag, or reusable carryout bags of cloth or polypropylene with stitched handles, for a charge established by the retailer.”

Any charges for reusable paper or cloth bags to the customer must be listed separately on the consumer’s receipt and identified as the “carry-out bag charge” or an “equivalent language.” The township gave businesses six months to adapt to the new change, hoping it would be adequate time for business owners to select an option and put it into place.

Beginning on Sunday, and for six months thereafter, retail establishments must “post conspicuous signage at all points of sale,” the ordinance states.

Signage, designed to inform consumers of the updated policy, must note, according to the new regulation, language to “inform customers that as of Sept. 8, 2024, single-use plastic bags and non-recyclable paper bags will no longer be provided by the establishment.” The business must also explain the types of bags and purchases which will be impacted in their particular shop.

Some businesses may opt to not offer bags, asking their customers to bring their own along. Others may simply add the charge for the bags and continue using what was in-stock. Still more business owners may choose to phase different options and “test drive” the impacts before settling on a standard.

The ordinance does provide exemptions for the following bags, which included the following:

• a bag used to package bulk items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, or candy
• a bag used to contain or wrap meats or fish, unwrapped prepared foods, or bakery goods
• a bag used solely to contain live animals, such as fish or insects sold in a pet store
• a bag sold in packaging containing multiple bags and packaged at the time of manufacture of the bag.

Retail establishments are required to be fully compliant with the regulations since Sunday. After this effective date passed, businesses will be subject to punishments of increasing severity, depending on the number of times they are cited. The incurred offense may result in the following:

• a written warning for a first offense
• a penalty of $100 for a second offense
• a penalty of $200 for a third offense
• a penalty of $500 for a fourth or any subsequent offense.

According to a press release from the township, the Commissioners are hoping the new ordinance will reduce littering and help the environment. It also may save the community money, too.

“Numerous studies have documented the prevalence of single-use plastic and non-recyclable bags littering the environment, blocking storm drains, entering local waterways, and becoming stuck in or upon natural resources and public property.,” said Rebecca Lohoefer-Mahon, Communications Coordinator for Upper Dublin Township. “The taxpayers of the Township pay the costs related to the cleanup of single-use bags from the roadways, trees, sewers, waters, and parks within the Township.”

Lohoefer-Mahon said that, overall, the policy can even improve or maintain a high quality of life for Township residents.

“It is the Township's desire to conserve resources; reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, waste, litter, water pollution; and to protect public health and welfare, including wildlife and aquatic life, all of which increases the quality of life for the Township's residents and visitors to the Township,” she said.

As required by the Environmental Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution, the Board of Commissioners also seeks to preserve the “natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values” of the Township.

The board is grateful for the community’s acceptance and compliance with the new rule.

“The Upper Dublin Township Board of Commissioners appreciate the compliance of all retail establishments within Upper Dublin Township,” said Lohoefer-Mahon.

For more information geared toward consumers and retail establishments, details can be found on the Township website at www.upperdublin.net/plasticbags online.