Committee narrows plastic‑bag proposal to 'plastic bags only' and plans outreach

The Upper Providence Environmental Advisory Committee agreed to focus its plastic‑bag work on single‑use shopping bags rather than a broader plastics ban, and assigned a committee member to draft a short proposal and outreach plan for the next meeting.

Committee member (S3) said they would “just start with plastic bags. Just plastic bags. Not straws,” and offered to prepare a paragraph outlining the intended approach. Members discussed phased, voluntary measures such as signage encouraging customers to bring reusable bags and retailer engagement before moving to regulatory steps. Committee member (S2) suggested using a sign outside a local retailer to encourage bag reuse as an initial behavior‑change tactic.

The Chair said a consultant communications campaign had been proposed previously but that it likely would not fit the current year’s budget; members agreed a grassroots, low‑cost education effort should be the first step. The committee also discussed possible fee options for bags, the likelihood of resident pushback, and examples from nearby townships and retailers that have adopted voluntary or corporate bag policies.

Members asked for a short, written outline of the proposed ordinance or an explanatory paragraph to be submitted by the assigned member before the group’s next meeting. No formal ordinance was adopted at this meeting; members framed the discussion as scope‑setting and prioritized outreach and a practical, incremental approach.