Philadelphia Council Advances 10-Cent Paper Bag Fee Amidst Mayor Opposition

A Philadelphia City Council committee advanced a bill that would require retailers to charge 10 cents for each paper or other nonreusable carryout bag to strengthen the city’s 2021 plastic bag ban and encourage shoppers to bring reusable bags. The measure, which passed out of committee unanimously and is cosponsored by a majority of Council, responds to a surge in paper bag use after the plastic ban (a city study estimated the ban kept about 200 million plastic bags out of the waste stream) and is expected to go to a full Council vote in the coming weeks. Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration opposes the fee — Clean and Green director Carlton Williams warned it could financially burden mom-and-pop businesses, low-income residents, drive shoppers outside city limits and pose enforcement challenges — while environmental groups and sponsor Mark Squilla argue a small fee will change behavior. The proposal includes exemptions (for unhandled paper bags for perishables and certain prepared or takeout food) and follows prior failed attempts, including a 2023 measure that died on the mayoral desk. If the mayor vetoes the bill, City Council could override with 12 votes, and similar bag fees have been enacted in nearby suburbs.