Supporting Senate Bill 1080 which seeks to reduce plastic bags in the trash.

WHEREAS, On August 6, 2013, State Senator Daylin Leach introduced a bill that would encourage consumers to shift away from using inefficient plastic shopping bags by imposing a two cent fee for each bag provided by a retail establishment

; and

WHEREAS,

Half of the fee for each bag would go to state recycling programs and the other penny would go to the retailer to assist with the establishment's recycling efforts; and

WHEREAS, The bill aims to encourage customers to shop with reusable bags while reducing landfill waste; and

WHEREAS,

The average American family uses sixty plastic bags in just four trips to the grocery store; and

WHEREAS, Plastic bags take many years to degrade, create clutter in urban areas and contaminate waterways; and

WHEREAS,

Eight other states are currently considering similar legislation including Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington; and

WHEREAS, According to the Clean Air Council, currently only one percent of the more than one hundred and two billion plastic bags used each year are recycled;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby

call for the passage of Senate Bill 1080

which seeks to reduce plastic bags in the trash.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk shall forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate, the Majority and Minority Chairs of the Pennsylvania Committee on Finance and to all members of the Senate delegation representing the City of Philadelphia as evidence of this Council's support of this legislation.

End