02-17-2011, 05:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
I read that on the mainland in some locations that instead of a ban they are putting a 25 cents per bag price/tax. Wonder how that would affect people's love for cheap throwaway plastic bags..... making them expensive throwaway plastic bags
I think this is a good idea. Need a bag, you buy a bag and as time goes on have a sliding scale 25 cents in 2011, 30 cents in 2012, 35 cents in 2013, and so on. If you bring your own get one 25 cent discount on your overall groceries like a coupon discount. If it goes negative for users, and a little positive for bringers, it will begin to make an impact. There will come a day when someone says "$5.00 for a plastic bag? Let me run out to the car for my recycling bags". Problem will begin to solve itself economically. And yes probably meat, etc may be exempt for now. But cans and bread and veggies etc should not be. The bagger usually separates these items anyway - meats from non-cold or non-meats.
IMHO, the increase of pricing of sugar long long ago did more to ruin the moonshine bootlegging industry than any "revenuers" could. And thats what this needs - reward those who bring their bags with a very small discount, charge those who dont.
In ten years, kids will look at us and laugh about "bag legislation".
I agree with Obie that other plastic trash is a huge huge part of the problem too. Personally i save many of my plastic & glass containers for doggie bags for my friends if we have a party. I made the mistake of sending people home with good tupperware and never saw it again so this was purely a economical choice not any big save the planet choice.