UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) — Upper Merion Township has pledged to switch to recyclable waste, but that hasn’t been easy for businesses.
From Monday, customers will see that companies are offering much less plastic cutlery.
KOP Pizza in King of Prussia opened in April 2023.
Over the past six months, Upper Merion Township’s two-phase environmental sustainability regulations have disrupted business operations.
The municipality started enforcing the second phase of the ordinance on disposable plastic on Monday, which prohibits catering establishments from offering plastic cutlery.
Cashier Aleyah Frangiosa says the restaurant is switching to bamboo cutlery.
Since 80% of the restaurant’s orders are take-out, it will be quite an adjustment.
“We probably use 100 plastic forks a day, just because of the catering and everything. Businesses don’t keep plastic cutlery in their business. So we have to give that away,” Frangiosa said.
In January, Upper Merion rolled out the first phase of the plan, eliminating single-use plastic bags, straws and food service items.
Frangiosa fears that this next phase will take a financial toll on companies, in addition to other negative effects.
“It’s definitely a lot more expensive,” Frangiosa said. “It’s probably two or three times more expensive than plastic cutlery. Also, customers complain that the bamboo cutlery leaves splinters.”
Not all customers find the change annoying.
“It doesn’t really bother me. I think most of what I take out of a restaurant I eat at home anyway,” said resident David Auth.
Municipal officials call the initiative a proactive approach to saving the planet by reducing litter and waste.
“I don’t think plastic cutlery is the big problem,” Auth said. “But I think every little bit counts.”
Under the ordinance, businesses that fail to comply could be fined up to $250 per violation.
What happens to all those leftover plastic products?
“That’s a good question. I think they’ll probably end up in the trash, which I think is hypocritical,” Frangiosa said. “It defeats the purpose.”
