RESPONSIBLE Now In Effect!

H

PASSED — April 2022

Enforcement began January 2nd, 2023.

Why Was This Ordinance Proposed?

Single-use waste, like plastic bags and straws, are harmful to the environment and costly to taxpayers. Regulation minimizes litter, environmental impacts, and waste management costs. Over 48,000 lbs. of trash was removed in area Darby/Cobbs Creek cleanups in 2021. Recent PA DOT and DEP research indicates that “plastic film” is the largest component of litter in the environment. The ordinance would curb unnecessary distribution of these materials in our community. In a momentous effort to curb these wasteful practices, nine states and over 500 U.S. municipalities have adopted similar laws. Almost a third of Americans live in areas with single-use laws, a number sure to grow as more attention is drawn to global waste issues, and the ease of compliance is better understood. Local communities with single-use plastic ordinances include Narberth, Philadelphia, West Goshen and West Chester. Other local communities actively working on similar ordinances including Lower Merion, Ambler, Radnor, Easttown, and Tredyffrin.

Where Can I Read The Ordinance?

Ordinances passed are available online on the Township web site under buildings and codes.

Who Would Be Getting The 10-Cent Fee Per Paper Bag?

Businesses would keep the 10 cent minimum fee that must be charged for every point of sale bag and shown on receipts. You can explain to customers that this is the law for all retailers.

Who Do I Contact If I Have More Questions?

An FAQ is available to support retailer preparation for this transition, please email your commissioner

Zero Waste and Composting Food Waste

E-waste & Terracycle public drop off bins. There are two public bins for small E-waste recycling drop off 24/7 at the Township building on the lower parking lot between Wawa and the Police station and at the Community Recreation and Environmental Center (CREC). Two Recycling Beyond the Blue Bin bins (Oral Care and Personal Care only) are located at the Township building are located near on the upper lot near the Township front doors. Medicine Disposal is located in the Police Station Lobby.

Contact Havswitch@gmail.com for a PDF about recycling “beyond the blue bin” through our volunteer based Terracycle programs. Please follow directions on what is accepted in each program. Make sure packaging is as clean and dry as possible! We have drop off locations for Brita filters, food pouches and caps, foil lined chip bags, writing utensils, scrap metal and more! Thanks for keeping these items out of our trash stream, local landfills and incinerators.

Composting Workshop

Oct 11th at 7pm

Contact Havcompost@gmail.com for information about training and videos and how you can try it at home. Learn about wasting less, fighting climate change and making free organic fertilizer! Learn how Haverford Township offers Discount Compost Bins.

Recycling Workshop

August 22nd 6-8pm.

Learn how to properly recycle in Haverford's single stream curbside collection; and how to go above and beyond by recycling Beyond the Blue Bin. EAC members will explain what is accepted and not, how to clean, and introduce you to our opt-in program to recycle items not accepted in your blue bin. FREE, registration coming; Email Havswitch@gmail.com for registration link.

Yard Clean Up Reminders!

Brush Collections are to be on the curb loose in a container (just like single stream recycling pick up).

Brown bags and bundles are

Not Accepted

!

Pro Tip: Shred leaves for excellent garden mulch (mow pile, shredder, mulching vacuum, weed wacker in can of leaves). Mow leaves right into lawn for excellent organic fertilizer Ask your landscaper, it might be cheaper!

Community Groups Wanted for Tree Planting!

Delco Conservation District is a regional hub for accessing tree and shrub seedlings through the Plant 10 Million Trees initiative of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Several local organizations that have organizational and tree planting skills and want to help to restore our region's tree cover have participated as local hubs that distribute seedlings to qualified planters/groups and track where they are planted. To learn how your group can be a local tree planting hub, email havswitch@gmail.com with the subject: “We are a Tree Planting Group” and we will invite you to the next available organizational web meeting.

Harvest Your Stormwater!

Learn how rain gardens, downspout planters and the Streamsmart Stormwater Housecall Program can help you harvest your stormwater, reduce runoff and the resulting pollution associated with stormwater and reduce downstream flooding. The native plants used also create habitat for pollinators. Go to https://www.dcva.org/Rain-Garden to find out more.

Rain Garden Workshop Videos/Resources

If you missed ourspring annual in-person workshop, the above web site includes a workshop video and supporting materials/manuals to help you learn how to build and maintain a Rain Garden for yourself or in your community.

Email havaraingarden@gmail.comto hone your skills by joining our rain garden builds or apprenticing (i.e., assessing potential locations and designing rain gardens). Presented by Darby Creek Valley Association, Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative and Hav-a-Rain Garden who have designed and built more than 80 rain gardens in the region at parks, libraries and private properties. Haverford Residents can request a future assessment for a rain garden, if you haven't already. Email address & phone # to havaraingarden@gmail.com