Newtown EAC To Brief Community On Single-Use Plastics Proposal

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Environmental Advisory Council is looking for input from the business community on a proposal to reduce single-use plastic and Styrofoam containers at borough shops and restaurants.

Public input is being sought during a public meeting to be held on Monday, May 8 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Chancellor Center.

The meeting will be led by the borough's EAC and will feature guest speaker Faran Savitz from PennEnvironment who will outline the benefits of such an ordinance and report on what other municipalities are doing.

The EAC is proposing an ordinance that would reduce the use of single-use plastics including plastic bags, utensils, straws and Styrofoam containers while promoting the substitution of natural alternative products that are biodegradable or compostable.

A similar ordinance is also being considered in neighboring Newtown Township.

"The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the public to this proposal and to listen and respond to concerns business owners may have. Feedback from the business community will be very helpful as the EAC develops the ordinance," said the EAC in a press release.

Borough businesses have already been invited to participate in an online survey on the topic.

"The EAC is pleased that many businesses in our area have already started to shift from single-use plastic containers and bags to reusable or compostable alternatives," said the EAC. "Single-use items or disposable items are products and packaging that we throw out after only one use. These items are used for only minutes, but their impact on our environment can last thousands of years."

Not all plastic waste will end up polluting the natural environment, but even in the landfill, plastics can be dangerous, said the EAC. Plastics that find themselves on top of the landfill can be carried off by animals or by the wind. In addition, plastic that gets buried can sometimes leak harmful pollutants into the ground and water, the EAC said.

"Plastics break down into tiny particles that we ingest through the air, water, and food we eat," said the EAC. "Customers can easily reduce their use of single-use plastics by bringing their own re-usable bags when shopping or declining plastic utensils and straws when ordering takeout."

For questions regarding the meeting, contact Judy Musto, Borough Secretary, at 215-968-2109.