Shoppers in Philadelphia will have to pay 10 cents for a paper bag or bring their own reusable bag starting next year under a new bill that was passed by City Council.
On Sept. 18, 2025, City Councilmember Mark Squilla introduced Bill 250773 which required Philly businesses to charge customers a 10-cent fee for a paper bag in an effort to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags in order to reduce the usage of single-use and plastic bags.
City council passed the bill on Oct. 30, 2025, sending it to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s desk. While Mayor Parker did not veto the bill, she also announced in a letter on Nov. 12, that she will not sign it.
“I support the intent of this bill to reduce the utilization of single-use bags and, thus, further Philadelphia’s commitment to environmental sustainability. But I remain concerned with some of the unintended consequences this legislation could have for our local economy and low-income Philadelphians, especially our communities of color,” Parker wrote. “Without protections for low-income residents, such as Philadelphians who use SNAP or WIC benefits to pay for groceries, seniors, and communities of color, this well-intended bill may unintentionally cause harm. For these reasons, I am returning Bill Number 250773 unsigned.”
The bill is expected to go into effect in January 2026. Under the bill, retailers will keep the proceeds from the sale of the paper bags. Bags without handles used by a customer to deliver perishable items at the businesses, including fruit, vegetables, unwrapped prepared foods and baked goods, are also exempt under the bill.
Philadelphia had issued a plastic bag ban back in 2021, leading to an increase in paper bag usage, officials said. In 2023, City Council approved a 15-cent paper bag fee for customers in stores. That bill was killed by then-Mayor Jim Kenney in a pocket veto, however, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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