Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County Will Ban Single-Use Plastic in 2024

Under this new ordinance, all use of single-use carry-out bags, single-use plastic straws, single-use utensils, and polystyrene food service products will be prohibited at commercial establishments

Photo byVolodymyr HryshchenkoonUnsplash

Prepare to start bringing your own environmentally friendly bags to the grocery store if you live in Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. They have just passed an ordinance that will ban single-use plastics and polystyrene food containers and utensils.

NBC 10 reports that the Upper Merion Board of Supervisors announced that single-use carry-out bags, single-use plastic straws and utensils, and polystyrene food containers will be prohibited at commercial establishments in the township starting in 2024.

The ordinance commences on January 1st, 2024 with plastic bags, and will extend to single-use plastic straws and other utensils on July 1st, 2024.

This new ordinance will have a major impact on the restaurant and shopping industries. King of Prussia Mall, the largest enclosed shopping center in Pennsylvania, will be affected by this new rule.

“It’s a big win for the East Coast and the non-West Coast in general to have a ban on single-use plastics,” said Zach Davis, chair of Upper Merion’s Environmental Advisory Committee, according to WHYY. “And I’m really hopeful that communities around here, communities in the United States as a whole, will say, ‘Oh, wow, if the community that has the King of Prussia Mall can enact a change like this, we can do it anywhere.’”

WHYY reports that the change is supported by Eric Goldstein, president and CEO of the King of Prussia District, and that the move follows similar ordinances put in place in Lower Merion and Upper Moreland townships this summer.

According to NBC 10, an estimated 18.5 million plastic bags are used each year by Upper Merion residents.

In recent decades, the proliferation of single-use plastics has become a global concern. These disposable items, including plastic bags, straws, bottles, and packaging materials, are designed for convenience but have proven to be an environmental menace.

Single-use plastics pose a significant threat to the environment. Their production requires the extraction of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Moreover, the disposal of these plastics often leads to littering and improper waste management.

They find their way into water bodies, where they break down into smaller particles known as microplastics. These microplastics contaminate the soil, rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing irreversible damage to delicate ecosystems.

The impact of single-use plastics on wildlife is distressing. Marine creatures, such as sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, mistake plastic items for food or become entangled in them. Ingesting plastic can lead to malnutrition, internal injuries, and even death.

Furthermore, plastic pollution disrupts the natural balance of ecosystems, threatening the survival of numerous species and the overall biodiversity of our planet.

Unlike organic materials that decompose over time, plastic takes hundreds of years to break down naturally. As a result, plastic waste accumulates in landfills, releases harmful toxins into the soil and water, and persists for generations. This persistent pollution not only harms ecosystems but also seeps into food chains, potentially impacting human health.

Single-use plastics can have detrimental effects on human health. Chemical additives found in plastics, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), are known to leach into food and beverages, especially when heated or exposed to sunlight.

These chemicals have been linked to hormonal disruptions, developmental issues, and an increased risk of certain diseases, including cancer. Furthermore, microplastics have been found in drinking water, seafood, and even the air we breathe, raising concerns about their long-term effects on human well-being.

The economic impact of single-use plastics cannot be ignored. Plastic pollution burdens local authorities with the cost of waste management and clean-up efforts. Additionally, industries such as tourism and fishing suffer as plastic-laden beaches and polluted waters deter visitors and harm marine resources.

Transitioning to more sustainable alternatives can foster innovation, create new jobs, and generate economic growth in sectors focused on environmentally friendly solutions.

Single-use plastics have become a ubiquitous part of our modern lifestyle, but their convenience comes at an enormous cost. The harm caused by these disposable items extends far beyond our immediate surroundings.

From damaging ecosystems and endangering wildlife to posing risks to human health, single-use plastics have emerged as a grave global concern. Recognizing the detrimental consequences and adopting sustainable alternatives are crucial steps toward mitigating this environmental crisis. It is our collective responsibility to protect our planet and preserve its natural beauty for future generations.