Upper Gwynedd announces kickoff of plastic waste reduction program

Upper Gwynedd Township has announced the formal start of a voluntary plastic waste reduction program proposed by the township’s environmental advisory council and approved by the township commissioners last fall.

In a statement on the township’s social media pages, website and e-newsletter, the township said single-use plastics, including bags, utensils, straws and polystyrene containers have been and continue to be a major source of environmental pollution in our community and beyond, and presents a profound threat to global environmental and public health.

In an effort to address this issue on a local level, the Upper Gwynedd Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is excited to announce the Plastic Waste Reduction Program (Program).

This voluntary program intends to educate, engage and recognize businesses in the Township that commit to action in reducing single-use plastic waste in our community.

At this time, the EAC is engaging retail businesses in the Township that may use single-use plastic or polystyrene materials at the point-of-sale, to educate on the harm caused by plastic waste and gauge interest in participation in the Program.

Participating businesses will work with the EAC to achieve Program Certification, which will include three levels:

Bronze: Presented to businesses that have or commit to eliminating single-use plastic bags at the point-of-sale.

Silver: In addition to eliminating plastic bags, these businesses also eliminate or offer single-use plastic straws and utensils by request only.

Gold: These businesses do not offer single-use plastics, including polystyrene containers, of any kind.

Participating businesses will receive a decal for posting at their place of business recognizing the level of their participation. Businesses will also be recognized in Township media including in the Editor, Gazette and Township social media accounts.

Participation is entirely voluntary and certification status will be at the discretion of the EAC and will be reevaluated on an annual basis. We hope that retail businesses in the Township take this opportunity to recognize the problem of single-use plastic pollution and work with the EAC to help make our community a healthier place to live.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q: What is meant by “point-of-sale”? A: The point-of-sale is where a customer and retailer interact at sale completion.

Q: What items are in the scope of the “single-use plastics” (SUP) initiative? A: SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAG, defined as any bag made predominantly of plastic that is provided by a commercial establishment to a customer at the point-of-sale. The term does not include reusable bags or recycled paper bags. This definition specifically exempts the following from the category of Single-Use Plastic Bags:

a. product bags;

b. a bag sold in packaging containing multiple bags and packaged at the time of manufacturing, including food storage bags, garbage bags, or pet waste bags;

c. newspaper delivery bags;

d. a bag provided by a state, federal or local government agency;

e. laundry or dry cleaner bags.

Pre-packaged consumer items are not included in the scope.

SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAW, Defined as a straw provided by a commercial establishment that is primarily made of plastic, and not including straws composed of non-plastic materials such as bamboo, sugar cane, wood, hay or paper. In addition, a single-use plastic straw shall not include the following:

a. Straws packaged with beverages prepared and packaged outside of the Township, provided such beverages are not altered, packaged or repackaged within the Township.

b. Straws provided with a beverage on private property used as a residence.

c. When provided by a state, federal or local government agency;

d. A package or container containing multiple single-use plastic straws packaged by the manufacturer at the time of manufacturing and sold for home or business use.

e. When provided as an assistance device to reasonably accommodate a disability.

EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOOD SERVICE PRODUCT, defined as a non-recyclable product made of synthetic resin of polystyrene or expanded polystyrene that is used for selling, providing, or transporting food or beverages including, but not limited to, food containers (including “clamshell”, hinged, or lidded packaging/food containers), plates, hot and cold beverage cups, and/or trays.

However, an Expanded Polystyrene Food Service Product shall not include:

a. Food, beverages, or other items that have been packaged in Expanded Polystyrene outside the Upper Gwynedd Township for general distribution;

b. A product made of Expanded Polystyrene that is used to package raw, uncooked, or buttered meat, fish, poultry, or seafood;

c. Non-foam Expanded Polystyrene Food Service Products;

d. A package or container containing multiple Expanded Polystyrene Food Service Products packaged by the manufacturer at the time of manufacturing and sold for home or business use.

For more information, visit https://www.uppergwynedd.org/environmental-advisory-council/pages/plastic-waste-reduction-program

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