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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-09-2008 @ 4:49PM
emrgray@comcast.net said...
In our part of Virginia, some stores do give discounts per reusable bag. Doing that in Seattle wouldn't get them the tax $$, but would help those on a tight budget who may not have the spare money to buy reusable bags.
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9-09-2008 @ 5:31PM
Frank said...
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.
If you buy your own bags and bring them in to the store each time you shop then there is no problem. Usable bags are really cheap. $1.00 a bag...
Perhaps a program where shoppers get a reduction on their bill for every bag they don't take would be a better approach?
Most grocery stores already do this.They give you 5 cents per each bag you bring in. Use the bag 20 times and it's payed for...
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9-10-2008 @ 8:19AM
Ed said...
The program is in the whole of Ireland, not just Dublin.
As for 20cent hurting the poor. That's just a plastic bag full of hot air. There were similar moans over here before the ban but now pretty much everybody is happy about it. It has reduced litter enormiously. Everybody has "bags for life" now; material bags you can buy for €1 and reuse over and over and leave in the boot of your car for shopping day.
There will always be whiners. You can't please everybody but common sense dictates this is a good thing.
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9-10-2008 @ 8:54AM
Patricia said...
Hi Ed,
Thanks for your comment. I thought it was all of Ireland too, not just Dublin. I'll correct that.
I also appreciated hearing your perspective from Ireland!
~ Patricia
9-10-2008 @ 8:50AM
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