Upper Gwynedd adopts plastic waste reduction program

A new program is now on the books that’s meant to let Upper Gwynedd businesses take the lead in going green.

The township’s commissioners voted unanimously this week to adopt a new plastic waste reduction program, based on recommendations from a township committee.

“The single-use plastic waste reduction program is strictly voluntary, for the organizations in our community that want to participate,” said commissioner Greg Moll.

Earlier this month, the township’s environmental advisory council presented to the commissioners on the results of roughly two years of surveys and discussions conducted by that group, in which residents said they wanted to reduce the use of single-waste plastics, usually use reusable shopping bags, and would support measures to reduce the use of plastic bags, straws and other single-use plastics.

The EAC then developed a voluntary program that businesses could choose to opt into, with three levels: a bronze level, where the business commits to eliminating single-use plastic bags at the point of sale; a silver level, where the business eliminates bags and offers other single-use materials, like straws and utensils, by request only; and finally a gold level, where the business would not offer single-use plastics of any kind.

    A plastic bag can be seen in a planter outside the Wawa at Sumneytown Pike and Valley Forge Road in Upper Gwynedd on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
 By Dan Sokil | The Reporter   

Those who take part would receive a certificate from township volunteers stating they are taking part, plus recognition by the township, and the program would be administered by volunteers, with advertisement through the township's social media channels and newsletters. The cost to both the township and to those who take part would be minimal, according to the volunteer board members, and single-use plastics addressed in the program include product bags, newspaper bags, straws, and polystyrene containers including food containers, plates, cups and/or trays.

EAC members presented the program in detail on October 7, and the commissioners brought the topic up again for formal action during their business meeting on October 14. One public comment was fielded on the topic, from resident Carl Smith, who said he had "no doubt in my mind" the board would approve the program, and asked how residents could be appointed to the environmental council.

"Does this board ever appoint people with diverse opinions to these subcommittees? Because I don't see it, and this is how we get governing from one direction — right now, the left," Smith said, adding that he thought the plastic program was an example of "your will imposed on the rest of the community that doesn't see it your way."

Moll replied to the comment by noting that no business in the township would be required to take part.

"There's no mandate from the township that forces them in any way to participate in this. Should they opt in, they essentially receive a certificate saying that 'Yes, I agree to eliminate single-use plastics,'" he said.

Upper Gwynedd's commissioners next meet at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 and the environmental advisory council next meets at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6, both at the township administration building, 1 Parkside Place. For more information visit www.UpperGwynedd.org.

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