Philadelphia's City Council has given its approval for a bill that would charge stores 10 cents per paper bag at checkout, but Mayor Cherelle Parker may still have the power to veto it. The measure was passed with a slim majority of 10-5 votes.
The new fee applies only to retail establishments, which will be required to post signs at their locations 60 days after the law takes effect. However, there's an exception for deliveries, drive-thrus, and takeout orders, where no additional charges would apply.
Now that the bill has been passed, it waits on Parker's signature to become a law. A supermajority of yes votes – 12 or more in this case – would have made it automatic, without needing the mayor's approval. According to reports from earlier this month, Parker's administration supports the bill's intentions but is concerned that it may disproportionately affect low-income residents.
If Parker vetoes the legislation, City Council has just 10 days to decide whether to vote on the measure again. Two council members who were absent during Thursday's meeting have yet to comment on their stance on the bill.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips initially voted in favor of the bill but later changed his mind after hearing public comments about the freeze on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits. He expressed concerns that adding another financial burden could worsen the situation for low-income residents.
In contrast, Councilmember Mark Squilla who introduced the legislation argues that it's meant to encourage customers to bring their own bags, not charge them 10 cents. Squilla notes that many reusable tote bags are provided for free at events and community gatherings, reducing any potential financial burden on consumers.
The debate surrounding the bill highlights a broader issue: the environmental impact of single-use plastics versus reusable bags. While paper bags are more eco-friendly than plastic ones in terms of reuse and recycling, their production requires more energy. Studies have shown that switching to reusable tote bags can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Interestingly, Philadelphia's City Council has passed similar legislation before, but it didn't take effect until 2021 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. When enforcement began in April 2022, consumers' behavior shifted towards paper bag use more than doubling and reusable bag use increasing. However, following formal enforcement, paper bag use began to decrease as reusable bag use grew.
As the bill now awaits Parker's signature, it remains to be seen whether the measure will become law and have a lasting impact on consumer behavior in Philadelphia.
The new fee applies only to retail establishments, which will be required to post signs at their locations 60 days after the law takes effect. However, there's an exception for deliveries, drive-thrus, and takeout orders, where no additional charges would apply.
Now that the bill has been passed, it waits on Parker's signature to become a law. A supermajority of yes votes – 12 or more in this case – would have made it automatic, without needing the mayor's approval. According to reports from earlier this month, Parker's administration supports the bill's intentions but is concerned that it may disproportionately affect low-income residents.
If Parker vetoes the legislation, City Council has just 10 days to decide whether to vote on the measure again. Two council members who were absent during Thursday's meeting have yet to comment on their stance on the bill.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips initially voted in favor of the bill but later changed his mind after hearing public comments about the freeze on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits. He expressed concerns that adding another financial burden could worsen the situation for low-income residents.
In contrast, Councilmember Mark Squilla who introduced the legislation argues that it's meant to encourage customers to bring their own bags, not charge them 10 cents. Squilla notes that many reusable tote bags are provided for free at events and community gatherings, reducing any potential financial burden on consumers.
The debate surrounding the bill highlights a broader issue: the environmental impact of single-use plastics versus reusable bags. While paper bags are more eco-friendly than plastic ones in terms of reuse and recycling, their production requires more energy. Studies have shown that switching to reusable tote bags can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Interestingly, Philadelphia's City Council has passed similar legislation before, but it didn't take effect until 2021 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. When enforcement began in April 2022, consumers' behavior shifted towards paper bag use more than doubling and reusable bag use increasing. However, following formal enforcement, paper bag use began to decrease as reusable bag use grew.
As the bill now awaits Parker's signature, it remains to be seen whether the measure will become law and have a lasting impact on consumer behavior in Philadelphia.
As this new policy is implemented in Philadelphia, one can't help but wonder how it'll affect those low-income residents who already face financial struggles. Perhaps with time and education about the benefits of reusable bags, consumers will start to adopt healthier habits without feeling an additional burden. The debate around single-use plastics vs reusable bags is a great example of how our daily choices can have a ripple effect on the environment. Let's hope this new policy sparks positive change! 
Philly is going green... one bag at a time. 10 cents for every paper bag? Yeah, good luck with that 
I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not, but some people are saying it could help reduce single use plastics. But others think it's gonna hurt low income folks who can't afford to bring their own bags 
, remember when people just used cloth bags? Now they're worried about 10 cents per paper bag at checkout? Like, what's wrong with a little bit of extra cash to help keep our planet clean? I mean, sure, studies show that reusable tote bags are better for the environment, but come on, it's not like we haven't known that for years. And those low-income residents, they're gonna get hit hard by this new fee... I just hope Mayor Parker doesn't veto it and we can finally see some real change around here 
! I mean, 10 cents per paper bag might seem like a small price to pay for doing our part for the environment 
). But still, every little bit counts, right? If this law helps encourage more people to switch to reusable bags and reduces our reliance on single-use plastics, I think it's a win-win 
. Plus, the City Council has done this before, and it actually worked! So fingers crossed for Mayor Parker and the hope that this bill becomes law soon 
this is a tough one for council members they gotta think about ppl who are struggling already adding more financial stress dont know what to do 
I'm totes stoked that Philly's city council passed this bill 
and encourage people to bring their own bags 
, you know? 
Studies show that reusable tote bags can really make a difference in reducing carbon emissions 
. I mean, 10 cents per paper bag might seem like a small price to pay, but every little bit counts 
! Fingers crossed for the planet 
. And let's be real, some of these reusable tote bags can be super expensive 
. If we're encouraging people to bring their own bags, maybe they'll start shopping at thrift stores or garage sales instead of buying new bags every time 
. Plus, it's not like the city is making them pay for the bags themselves – it's just a small fee at checkout 
.
but for real tho, its a good start to reduce waste and i hope it works out! 
but seriously tho, im all for reducing our plastic usage and i love that councilmember squilla is pushing for this cuz it does make u think about the environmental impact of single-use plastics 
anyways, it'll be interesting to see what happens next and if the mayor actually vetoes it 
. And what's the point of even having an exception for deliveries and drive-thrus? It's not like people are gonna suddenly start opting for reusable tote bags just because they can buy them online 
. Maybe Philly should focus on providing free or cheap reusable bag options instead? 
. And don't even get me started on the carbon emissions from paper bag production – we need to take this more seriously!