Senator Proposes New Legislation to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags in Pennsylvania

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Pennsylvania State Senator Judith Schwank (D-11) is reportedly planning to introduce a legislation that would prohibit retailers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from using single-use plastic bags. This is based on the finding that single-use plastic bags happens to be one among the major sources of litter across Pennsylvania.

The proposed legislation would ban use of plastic bags at the point of sale. However, there will be exceptions for essential uses such as produce, frozen foods and prescription medications. Also, provision would be made for distribution of recyclable paper bags for free.

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As part of the legislation, the Department of Community and Economic Development will run an educational campaign to raise awareness about the threats posed by single-use plastic bags.

Schwank pointed out that plastic bags takes more than a century to degrade and that it frequently breaks down into harmful microplastics, the consumption of which leads to serious health problems for humans and wildlife alike.

According a memo by Schwank, the right to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the environment are embedded within the constitution. Plastic pollution causes serious threats to environmental rights, public health, and community resources, it added.