A vision for a cleaner Philly is beginning with one small step.

After years and months of delays, Philadelphia’s plastic bag ban is HERE. (Again.)

The City of Philadelphia officially implemented the plastic bag ban in July with visible signs required by retailers. This was considered an “education and awareness period.”

However, the city did not give warnings to businesses and will begin doing so today until April 2022.

After April 1, 2022, businesses will be fined with a minimum penalty of $75 and can be taken to court by the city.

“Even as we continue to confront challenges presented by the global pandemic, the climate crisis and plastic pollution remain two very serious threats to our planet and society,” said Mayor Jim Kenney in a press release. 

The city is offering the following resources to businesses:

• Signage—in multiple languages—that businesses can download, print, and hang at points of sale
• A flyer that answers frequently asked questions about the ban. 
• A list of vendors that carry reusable or paper checkout bags that meet the City’s plastic bag ban requirements can also be found on the webpage.

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher