Philadelphia to Impose 10-Cent Fee on Paper Bags Despite Mayor's Disapproval
Despite Mayor Cherelle Parker's lack of support, a bill implementing a 10-cent fee on paper bags at retail establishments has become law. The measure, which was approved by City Council in October, aims to reduce single-use bag usage and generate revenue for stores.
The fee would not apply to deliveries, drive-thrus, or takeout orders, with the proceeds going directly to the retailers. However, Councilmember Mark Squilla acknowledged that the legislation may face challenges due to its implementation timeline, stating his willingness to work with the administration on a longer rollout period.
Initially approved in 2019 but delayed until 2021, a ban on plastic bags was seen as a precursor to this new measure. When Mayor Parker was presented with the bill, she expressed concerns over potential unintended consequences, particularly for low-income residents and communities of color.
Parker's reservations stem from fears that the legislation could disproportionately affect already vulnerable populations, such as those relying on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Benefits (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. These individuals might struggle to afford the additional cost of paper bags, leading to potential economic strain.
In response, Councilmember Squilla emphasized that the bill was not intended to be an added expense for low-income households, as many stores already charge a fee for bags, and reusable tote bags are often distributed at community events. He cited past experience with plastic bag fees, where low-income households were among the first to comply due to affordability concerns.
Despite these reservations, Squilla remains confident that the 10-cent paper bag fee will ultimately reduce single-use bag usage. By introducing a small cost barrier, he believes more consumers will bring their own bags, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment.
Despite Mayor Cherelle Parker's lack of support, a bill implementing a 10-cent fee on paper bags at retail establishments has become law. The measure, which was approved by City Council in October, aims to reduce single-use bag usage and generate revenue for stores.
The fee would not apply to deliveries, drive-thrus, or takeout orders, with the proceeds going directly to the retailers. However, Councilmember Mark Squilla acknowledged that the legislation may face challenges due to its implementation timeline, stating his willingness to work with the administration on a longer rollout period.
Initially approved in 2019 but delayed until 2021, a ban on plastic bags was seen as a precursor to this new measure. When Mayor Parker was presented with the bill, she expressed concerns over potential unintended consequences, particularly for low-income residents and communities of color.
Parker's reservations stem from fears that the legislation could disproportionately affect already vulnerable populations, such as those relying on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Benefits (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. These individuals might struggle to afford the additional cost of paper bags, leading to potential economic strain.
In response, Councilmember Squilla emphasized that the bill was not intended to be an added expense for low-income households, as many stores already charge a fee for bags, and reusable tote bags are often distributed at community events. He cited past experience with plastic bag fees, where low-income households were among the first to comply due to affordability concerns.
Despite these reservations, Squilla remains confident that the 10-cent paper bag fee will ultimately reduce single-use bag usage. By introducing a small cost barrier, he believes more consumers will bring their own bags, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment.
... isnt the point of using less plastic already? and what about stores that cant afford it? 
its not like theyre gonna make anyone pay more, they just have to pay for the bags themselves, right? 
also i feel bad for people who rely on SNAP or WIC programs... how are they supposed to afford paper bags too? 
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." 
. But at the same time, I can see how it might be tough for low-income folks to afford... my cousin has kids who rely on SNAP and stuff, so I get why she'd be worried about that. I think it's a good idea, but you gotta make sure it's not just gonna hurt people who are already struggling 
Those paper bags might be a bit pricey for people who already have to deal with limited budgets, like those on SNAP or WIC programs. 
It's cool that Councilmember Squilla is trying to make sure this law doesn't hurt anyone, though! 
Maybe we'll see more reusable tote bags popping up around town? 
And I wonder, how many stores actually charge a fee for paper bags already? Is it just some places or all of them? 
. And what about the mayor's concerns about unintended consequences? 
I need some solid sources on this one before I'll even consider it a success 
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i'm all about sustainability 
so this law in philly is def a step in the right direction 
i get why mayor parker had concerns tho 
so let's see how this plays out in practice 
On one hand, reducing single-use bag usage is definitely a step in the right direction for the planet 
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. A 10-cent fee on paper bags is just going to price out the people who need it most, you know? Like Councilmember Squilla said, low-income households might already be struggling to afford these extra fees, and now they're gonna have to shell out even more cash for something that's basically just a convenience. And what about all the people who can't afford reusable tote bags? It feels like this policy is just gonna create more problems than it solves 
. Can't we just find ways to make single-use bag usage more sustainable without hitting our most vulnerable neighbors in the wallet?