Another Main Line town prohibits stores from providing plastic bags to customers

Jun 17, 2023

LOWER MERION – Lower Merion has joined the ban on plastic bags.

Beginning Jan. 21, 2024, retail businesses in Lower Merion will be prohibited from providing customers with single-use plastic carry-out bags and paper bags that do not meet specific requirements at the point of sale.

Township officials are encouraging customers to BYOB or Bring Your Own Bag whenever shopping at food, grocery, and retail businesses in Lower Merion.

The board of commissioners finalized the new ordinance at its June meeting.

Under the new ordinance, retail businesses can provide compliant paper and reusable bags for a fee of at least $0.10.

Beginning July 21, businesses will be required to post signs at all points of sale informing customers about the ordinance restrictions and fees.

According to the ordinance, as it was distributed to the commissioners at a committee meeting, bags used to package bulk items containing frozen foods, unwrapped prepared foods & bakery goods, produce, meat, and live animals are exempt.

Bags for laundry, dry clearing, newspapers, or used to protect a purchased item from damage or contaminating other purchased items are also exempt.

Businesses violating the new ordinance will receive a warning for the first offense and fines of $100, $200 and $500 for each violation.

Lower Merion joins other communities in the area, including Narberth, Radnor, Haverford and the City of Philadelphia, that have banned plastic bags.

Enforcement of the ordinance will begin on January 21, 2024.

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