New map tracks plastic bag bans in Pennsylvania

This week, we released a new interactive map of every city, township, and borough in Pennsylvania that has passed a law tackling single-use plastics. This new resource shines a spotlight on the great steps taken by local leaders across the state to help rein in the pervasive threat of plastic pollution.

Single-use plastic items like plastic bags, polystyrene containers, plastic straws, and plastic utensils are made from fossil fuels, are difficult to recycle, and can persist in landfills and our environment for hundreds of years. Bans and other restrictions on single-use plastics are a proven, effective tool for tackling litter and plastic pollution.

Since 2018, over two dozen municipalities from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh have stepped up and passed laws to address this problem. In total, these laws could eliminate over 882 million single-use plastic bags per year, equivalent to 9.7 million pounds of plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, incinerated, or littering our environment. Check out our map to see where action has been taken and let’s help your community join the list too!