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Councilman Wants Mandatory Plastic Bag Recycling

Councilman Frank DiCicco isn't giving up in his fight against plastic bags in Philadelphia.

Today DiCicco is introducing an ordinance in City Council that would require all shops that offer plastic bags to provide recycling bins for customers. Penalties for violating the rule would range from $100 to $300. Those charging between 10 and 25 cents per bag would be exempt.

Today's legislation is a softer approach to plastic bags than DiCicco has pushed for in the past. DiCicco, along with Councilman Jim Kenney, previously sponsored legislation that would ban plastic bags in the city. But that bill was voted down in June. 

DiCicco said he expects the same push-back from the plastic bag industry on this legislation.

"I expect the same full out assault agains the bill that they have done in the past," he said. "But I think the environment is much more important than their bottom line."