Another Bucks County, Pa. town bans plastic bags from stores

✅ The ban in Doylestown Township takes effect in September

✅ Stores may sell customers a paper bag for five cents each

✅ It is the 30th town in Pennsylvania to implement a ban

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP — Add another Bucks County town to the list of communities where shoppers will not be given a plastic shopping bag.

The Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance Tuesday night banning the bags from being offered by retailers effective Nov. 17. A mandatory fee on paper or reusable bags was the subject of discussion during the public comment section of the meeting.

Paper reusable bags may be offered at a mandatory cost of five cents which the retailer may keep. The ordinance originally called for a 15-cent fee which is viewed as a level that will change consumer behavior.

"We know from empirical evidence that that's the tipping point that really starts to drive people towards using their reusable bags. If the fee is less than that people tend to just pay the fee and use the paper bags and you don't solve the problem of shifting from plastic to paper," James Baldassarre, Chair of the township’s Environmental Advisory Council said.

Business owner Joann Baer said that the fee could potentially drive customers to shop at Valley Square in Warrington where there is no fee or restriction.

Discussion by the supervisors reduced the fee to five cents. The supervisors will also take up discussion at a later date about the fee being charged to shopper who have grocery orders delivered and do not have to option of providing their own bag.

The ordinance passed by a 4-1 vote with Nancy Santacecilia, who shared the concerns about the impact of the paper bag fee on small businesses.

Violators face a fine of $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $200 for third and subsequent violations.

Plastic bags may still be used for produce, meats and baked goods.

30th ban in Pennsylvania

The ordinance does not affect plastic utensils and straws as did the recent ordinance passed in Newtown Borough. It will take effect in September.

At least 30 municipalities ban the use of plastic bags in Pennsylvania. Ten municipalities in Pennsylvania approved ordinances in 2023 including Doylestown Borough and Philadelphia. Newtown Township adopted a ban earlier in 2024. Their use is also banned in New Jersey.

All Aldi and Wegman's do not offer plastic bags to their customers.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom