May 20, 2015

The Honorable (Councilmember)
City Hall
Philadelphia, PA

Dear Councillmember,

Protecting and restoring the local environment is one of the seven “Ends,” or tenets, of Weavers Way Co-op. That is why we are gratified that City Council is taking up the bill introduced by Councilman Mark Squilla to impose a fee on single-use grocery bags.

Millions of single-use bags, especially plastic “T-shirt” bags, end up as litter. They clutter gutters, clog waterways and threaten wildlife. They also snarl trash and recycling machinery. Festooning trees and shrubs in a dreary imitation of holiday decorations, they degrade our shared urban landscape without providing significant value.

Charging 5 cents for each bag will help consumers consider the true cost of using these ubiquitous throwaways, and it will encourage people to skip unneeded bags and adopt sustainable, non-disposable alternatives.

Weavers Way does not give out single-use bags, and in fact we have been charging 2 cents apiece for plastic produce bags since the 1990s. (Paper shopping bags are 15 cents; old boxes are free.)

We strongly support Bill 150373 and urge City Council to act promptly to approve it.

Sincerely,

Chris Hill, President, Weavers Way Co-op Board of Directors
Glenn Bergman, Weavers Way Co-op General Manager
Sandra Folzer, Weavers Way Environment Committee