Many Philadelphia businesses are not complying with the city’s plastic bag ban law, a new survey found.
A survey of more than 80 businesses by PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center found that 55% violated at least one key provision of the law. This includes more than half that failed to charge the required 10-cent fee for compliant bags.
Moreover, the survey found that over 20% of the establishments have continued to offer plastic bags even though they have been illegal since 2019.
“Philadelphia’s plastic bag ban and compliant bag fee is an important step towards tackling the litter that plagues our neighborhoods, parks, and communities, but we cannot let it be a half-measure,” said Faran Savitz, Zero Waste Advocate with the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. “It’s critical that the Philadelphia officials move swiftly to enforce the city’s laws and ensure businesses comply with the Philly bag ban. We applaud the Philly businesses who are leading by example and following this important environmental law.”
The survey also found that over 75% of businesses had stopped using plastic bags and switched to compliant paper or reusable bags or provided no bags.
“The goal of the law was to change behavior, and that people would bring their own bags,” said City Councilmember Mark Squilla, who sponsored the legislation. “Behavioral change is necessary for this law to be successful.”
The organization said updated law requires businesses to charge a fee of at least 10 cents for any bags that they provide to customers. The fee requirement applies to bags whether they are made of paper or some reusable material.
Under the law, takeout and delivery transactions are exempt from charging the compliant bag fee, but are not exempt from the plastic bag ban.
The organization recommends that when residents come across retailers that appear to be violating Philadelphia’s single-use plastic bag ban, they should report these businesses to 311 or through the City’s online complaint portal.