Resident group urges Cumru Township to consider single‑use plastic bag limits

Deanna Whitell, who said she represents the local group What’s Up Burks and has lived in Cumru for about 22 years, told the board the township should consider municipal limits on single‑use plastic bags to reduce litter and long‑term environmental harm. Whitell cited widespread microplastic contamination, low recycling rates and municipal cleanup costs as reasons to act.

"Every piece of plastic that's ever been created is still on Earth in some form," Whitell said, describing how plastic bags fragment into micro‑ and nanoplastics and travel from creeks into larger waterways. She told commissioners that less than 10% of plastic is recycled and that recycling rates for plastic bags are much lower.

Whitell pointed to regional precedents and enforcement experiences, saying Philadelphia and Pittsburgh eliminated large numbers of bags and that surrounding states have bag bans. She said local examples of successful rollouts and transition periods are available and offered to provide materials the board could post or distribute.

Township members asked about business compliance and transition steps; Whitell said most municipalities use a phased transition and that she would provide enforcement and outreach examples. The board thanked her for the information and said staff would consider providing transition guidance to residents.

The presentation was part of the meeting’s public‑comment presentations; no formal action or vote was taken on Whitell’s request at the session.