Phase 2 of Ban on Providing Single-Use Plastics Goes into Effect on July 1, 2024

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (May 31, 2024) – As of July 1, 2024, Phase 2 of Upper Merion Township’s “Single-Use Product Regulations” ordinance prohibiting commercial establishments from providing plastic utensils to customers is in effect.

Phase 1 of the ordinance prohibiting commercial establishments from providing single-use carry-out bags, plastic straws, and expanded polystyrene food service products to customers went into effect on January 1, 2024.

During the July 13, 2023 Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors business meeting, the Board adopted an ordinance amending the Township code to create a new chapter, “Single-Use Product Regulations”, to regulate the distribution and use of single-use carry-out bags, single-use plastic straws (with certain exceptions), expanded polystyrene food service products, and single-use plastic utensils. The ordinance also promotes and facilitates the use of reusable bags, straws, utensils, and containers.

The ordinance also adds findings, definitions, fees, requirements, enforcement, penalties, and exemptions relating to the distribution and use of single-use carry-out bags, reusable bags, single-use plastic straws, single-use plastic utensils, and expanded polystyrene food service products.

This ordinance was enacted to achieve the Township’s duties under the Environmental Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to preserve the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic values of the Township by minimizing the degradation, diminution, and depletion of the public natural resources within the Township and to affirmatively enact legislation designed to protect the environment within and around the Township.

The use of the prohibited items has severe environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, litter, harm to wildlife, ground level ozone formation, atmospheric acidification, water consumption, and solid waste generation. In addition, these products do not readily decompose.

Additional Information Resources:

• View the NewsBrief video of the meeting’s ordinance agenda item here.
• Access the “Single-Use Product Regulations” Ordinance here.
• Watch the Township’s COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS talk show for more information here.
• For more information, please contact Anthony Hamaday, Upper Merion Township Manager, at ahamaday@umtownship.org.