What To Know About Pittsburgh’s Plastic Bag Ban
If you plan to buy something in the city this weekend, come prepared, because Pittsburgh’s plastic bag ban goes into effect on Saturday. But who has to comply? Will paper bags cost us? Are stores ready for the change? And with cities all over adopting policies like this, what do we know about the bans’ effects on the environment? City Cast lead producer Mallory Falk is ready to explain!
We love to cite our sources!
- The city’s website answers common questions about the plastic bag ban.
- Pittsburgh Magazine covered City Council’s decision to ban plastic bags last year.
- Planet Money asked “Are Plastic Bag Bans Garbage?”
- Vox also looked into whether plastic bag taxes and bans are actually effective.
Want some more Pittsburgh news?
- Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
- We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!
- Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
The Bartenders' Guide to Pittsburgh Dive Bars
Looking for a stiff drink? A little quiet time? Want to have a smoke, play a round of darts, and don't mind paying cash? If that sounds l...

Can Butler County Flip? Plus TikTok Trouble & North Side Cats
A special election in Butler County could be a bellwether for Pennsylvania Democrats ahead of the midterms in November. Host Megan Harris...

Where To Shop Vintage, Thrift, Consignment & Flea
Pittsburgh is a great hub for thrift, vintage, consignment, and flea market shopping — whether you’re hunting for a perfectly broken-in j...

Red-Light Cameras, Dirty Rivers & Pittsburgh’s Cutest Potato
Pittsburgh’s red-light cameras are officially here — and so are some new reasons to be nervous about the river water you’re maybe swimmin...

The Tiki Bar Reddit Can’t Stop Talking About. Plus, Yemeni Coffee & RIP Bryant Street
Downtown's new tiki bar has a volcano, a sunken fire pit, and a drink menu that admits it was made with AI. Host Megan Harris and interim...

Can Waymo Crack Pittsburgh?
Have you had a Waymo sighting lately? It suddenly seems like these robotaxis are everywhere. Pittsburgh has been a testing ground for aut...

Restaurant Week, '90s Nostalgia & Cathy's 100th Birthday
One of Pittsburgh's most iconic buildings is 100 years young. Host Megan Harris and audience development manager Rachel Carlson share wha...

Pittsburgh's Grocery Store Showdown
Giant Eagle has long been the main grocery game in town — it's celebrating 95 years in the Burgh with special merch — but that's about to...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
As much as you love Pittsburgh, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have co...

Pittsburgh’s Measles Risk, Explained
Measles cases are on the rise in Pennsylvania. We just notched 200 cases, with more than 45 reported in the last week alone. This is es...

