Single-Use Plastic Bag Regulations

Exempted bags include:

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

Beginning 30 days after the effective date (September 8, 2024), and for six months thereafter, retail establishments must post conspicuous signage at all points of sale. Signage will:

1. inform customers that single-use plastic bags and non-recyclable paper bags will no longer be provided by the establishment as of September 8, 2024.
2. explain what types of bags and purchases are impacted.
3. provide any other information the Township may require by regulation or written policy.

Upon written request, the Board of Commissioners may exempt a retail establishment from the requirements of this ordinance for a period of not more than one year from the effective date upon a finding that the requirements would cause undue hardship to the retail establishment.

The Board may make a finding of undue hardship only in the following circumstances or situations:

1. The retail establishment has a unique circumstance or situation such that there are no
   reasonable alternatives to single-use plastic bags and/or non-recyclable paper bags.
2. Additional time is necessary to draw down an existing inventory held by the retail establishment of single-use plastic bags, non-reusable bags or non-recyclable paper bags.

For more information or to make a written request, please email jconte@upperdublin.net.

No, the ordinance bans any kind of single-use plastic bag used at the point of sale.

A person, store, or food service establishment that violates the requirements of this ordinance will:

1. be issued a written warning for a first offense
2. be subject to a civil penalty of $100.00 for a second offense
3. be subject to a civil penalty of $200.00 for a third offense
4. be subject to a civil penalty of $500.00 for a fourth or any subsequent offense

An "offense" will be each day a person, store, or food service establishment is violating a requirement of the ordinance.

In addition to the penalties outlined above, the Township may seek legal, injunctive, or other equitable relief to enforce the requirements of the ordinance.

Retail establishments may provide reusable bags for consumers to purchase, as long as they meet the criteria outlined in the ordinance: the reusable bag is designed and manufactured for multiple uses and is: (a) made of cloth or other machine-washable fabric that has stitched handles; or (b) a polypropylene bag that has stitched handles.

Retail establishments may provide recyclable paper bags, as long as they meet the criteria outlined in the ordinance: 

• it is 100% recyclable
• it contains no old growth fiber
• it contains a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content
• it displays the word "Recyclable" in a highly visible manner on the outside of the bag and is labeled in a highly visible manner on the outside of the bag with the name of the manufacturer, the location where manufactured, and the percentage of post-consumer recycled content of the bag in an easy-to-read font size.

Retail establishments: any store, commercial establishment, or any other location that sells perishable or nonperishable goods* directly to the customer and is located within or doing business within Upper Dublin Township

*"Goods" include, but are not limited to: clothing, food, and personal items.

• Single-use bags are a very large source of plastic pollution and have good alternatives.
• Elimination of plastic pollution is a global movement, including our neighbor states and municipalities in southeastern Pennsylvania.
• Upper Dublin Township residents are concerned about the environment and want to be part of the solution.

Litter & Associated Costs

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. 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.

Environmental Impacts
It is the Township's desire to conserve resources, reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, waste, litter, water pollution, and to protect the 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.

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