A single-use plastic bag ban is now in effect in the City of Pittsburgh and that may extend to all of Allegheny County.
Allegheny County Council will consider legislation during a meeting on Tuesday evening.
The proposed legislation points out the same negative affects to the environment that the city’s legislation did, saying they create pollution, are not easily biodegradable, obstruct waterways, create litter and more.
Like the city legislation, a 10-cent fee would be charged for paper bags.
Fines would be $5 for each single-use bag or $50 a day for ordinance violation.
If passed, the following bags would be exempt:
A bag used inside a Retail Establishment by a customer to deliver perishable items to the point of sale at that establishment, such as: to package bulk items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, or candy; to contain or wrap meats or fish; to contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods or to contain or wrap flowers, potted plants, or similar items; or to package medications distributed through a pharmacy; or (2) A bag sold in packaging containing multiple bags and packaged at the time of manufacture of the bag such as food storage, garbage containment or pet waste collection.
The types of retail stores that would be affected include supermarkets, convenience stores, department and clothing stores, restaurants, food truck farmers’ markets and more.
Olivia Bennett, Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Paul Klein and Anita Prizio are sponsors.
The Pittsburgh bag ban has frustrated and confused some. Paper bags sold at places like fast food restaurants coming with a 10-cent charge, if there is food completely wrapped.
Openly exposed foods like French fries are not to be charged 10 cents.