Earthgrade News: Latest news on single-use plastic bags in the states of California and Pennsylvania

Plastic Bag Ban To Be Discussed Next Month In Lower Merion

Lower Merion Township officials will further weigh banning single-use plastic bags in the township at a public meeting on May 3.

Lower Merion Township residents can share their thoughts on the proposed bag ban ordinance in person or virtually at the upcoming May 3 meeting.

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Lower Merion Township is inching closer to banning single-use plastic bags.

Officials are planning to discuss a proposed ordinance that would severely limit the availability of single-use plastic bags in the township on May 3.

The Sustainability Committee will go over the ordinance again that night.

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Faran Savitz, a zero-waste advocate for nonprofit PennEnvironment, said the biggest problem is the growing use of these products over time.

“A lot of this stuff is meant to be used once and tossed aside,” Savitz said, adding that people should also take note of the plastic bags that hold candies, fruits, vegetables and household products that are enshrouded in plastic when purchased. “When you’re done with it, you have to throw it away. The problem is, there is no ‘away,’ especially with plastic.

“Plastics go to the landfill and then go to the incinerator, and this is causing problems for our wildlife and our health,” Savitz added. “It also causes problems for our infrastructure and our bottom line.”

Novato poised to adopt ban on plastic foodware

The Novato City Council advanced an ordinance this week that would ban businesses from offering plastic, single-use foodware.

If the council gives final approval to the ban on May 9, Novato would become the latest Marin community to adopt the restrictions developed by the Marin County government last year. Tiburon, San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Larkspur and Fairfax have already adopted or are poised to adopt the county’s rules, while Corte Madera and San Rafael are exploring the idea.

The ordinances take effect on Nov. 10.