Plastic bag ban begins on Fri, April 1

After delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Philly’s plastic bag ban goes into full effect beginning Friday, April 1, 2022.

It prohibits retail establishments from providing single-use plastic bags and paper bags that do not meet certain requirements, according to the City of Philadelphia website. Philadelphia inhabitants use about a billion plastic bags each year.

The legislation banning plastic bags was originally enacted by Philadelphia City Council in December 2019. Implementation was delayed due to the economic impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the business community, particularly small businesses.

Timeline

Actually, implementation of the plastic bag ban began on July 1, 2021 with a nine-month phase of awareness, education, and warning.

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On October 1, 2021, single-use plastic bags and non-recycled content paper bags was prohibited.On July 31, 2021, retail establishments were required to post clear and visible signage at all points of sale. Those signs had to tell customers that the establishment will no longer provide single-use plastic bags and non-recycled content paper bags as of the date the prohibition begins.

Goals

City officials expect plastic bag ban help reducing single-use plastic waste and improve the environmental quality and cleanliness of Philly.

Businesses and stores that do not meet the ban requirements are subject to a minimum penalty of 150 dollars.

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