As the deadline for Doylestown Borough’s single-use plastic bag ban draws closer, shoppers will begin to see signs alerting them to the new law.
Starting later this month, all borough restaurants and retail businesses are required to prominently post signage at all “points of sale” letting consumers know the ban takes effect June 23. Businesses can find sample signs at the borough’s website, www.doylestownborough.net.
Under the ordinance, paper bags made of at least 40 percent recycled material are permitted, as are reusable bags made of cloth, washable fabric or polypropylene that have stitched handles.
Borough businesses that opened before the ordinance was adopted in December 2022 may be eligible for an extension based on its bag inventory, officials said.
After the June 23 deadline, or an approved extension, those violating the ordinance will receive a written warning. Further violations will be subject to possible fines, according to the law.
Doylestown first began studying the ban issue in 2016 and, in 2019, conducted a survey on the use of single-use plastics in the town. Approximately 80 percent of residents responded (1, 016), with a significant majority (82%) supporting limiting their use, the borough reported.
The Newtown Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is proposing a more far-reaching single-use plastics ordinance that would not only ban plastic bags but also styrofoam food containers (cups, plates, containers). Retail establishments would be prohibited from providing single-use plastic straws and single-use plastic utensils except upon request of the customer. For more on that, read "Newtown Township EAC Releases a Draft Ordinance Banning Single-Use Plastics."
It is interesting that Doylestown Borough surveyed over 1,000 residents. The EAC has spoken to many local businesses and claims there is overwhelming support for its ban among businesses. However, there has been no official Newtown/EAC survey of residents.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? TAKE MY UNOFFICIAL SURVEY!