Statewide Plastic Grocery Bags Could Cost 2 Cents Each
PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - A new bill introduced by State Sen. Daylin Leach could impose a two cent tax on each new plastic bag used by grocery shoppers statewide.
Similar regulations take place in grocery stores around Los Angeles, Calif., and even in Europe.
KDKA Radio's Robert Mangino talked to Sen. Leach about the proposed bill's purpose and why Pennsylvania should adopt this new process.
"Most grocery store trips take about a half an hour, but those plastic bags stick around for thousands of years after that," explained Sen. Leach.
He said most of the bags ultimately end up in a landfill, but there are biodegradable alternatives to help reduce the mass collection of plastic bags that pollute our planet.
"Over 700,000 animals are killed a year by getting trapped in the bags," said Sen. Leach. "We need a more holistic, forward-thinking view to encourage people to use reusable bags instead of plastic."
Sen. Leach hopes by imposing the two cent tax, shoppers will use more reusable bags and therefore reduce landfill waste.
One penny will go to state recycling programs while the other will go to the grocery store retailer.
Sen. Daylin Leach
Listen to Robert Mangino every weeknight from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.
