Seattle's 20 cent tax on plastic bags sparks debate
Starting in 2009, the city of Seattle will require stores to charge a 20 cent tax on disposable bags, per bag. Sound like a great idea? Some don't think so.According to recent Newsweek coverage, a city survey from late last year showed that 63 percent of Seattle citizens oppose this tax. Proponents cite a program in Ireland where a similar tax reduced bag use by 90 percent. Some are opposed to the tax because it doesn't go far enough. Other critics cite a recent study that has shown that a majority of Seattlites already reuse the bags, for household tasks including picking up pet waste or lining trash cans.
However, others are opposed to the tax because it is a regressive tax, which will hit lower-income people the hardest. If you're loaded with cash, what's 20 cents going to hurt? But for people on the lower end of income scale, every cent literally counts.
Perhaps a program where shoppers get a reduction on their bill for every bag they don't take would be a better approach?
What do you think should be done about the plastic bag problem?
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