In a decisive move to combat plastic waste, Doylestown Township has implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags, joining a growing number of municipalities in Pennsylvania committed to environmental sustainability, writes Emily Neil for WHYY.  

The ordinance, passed by a 4-1 vote from the Board of Supervisors, prohibits retailers from providing plastic bags and imposes a $0.05 fee for paper bags or any other alternatives. 

According to PennEnvironment, which assisted in drafting the legislation, Doylestown Township uses approximately 6.5 million plastic bags annually, generating around 72,000 pounds of plastic waste.  

The township’s ordinance, which was developed over several years, included input from residents and business owners. While some small businesses expressed concerns about the paper bag fee, most were neutral or supportive of the change.  

In addition to the bag ban, the Environmental Advisory Council is also developing a climate action plan to transition to renewable energy. 

Read more about Doylestown Township’s plan to ban single-use plastic in WHYY.