Banning Plastic Bags - environment Forum

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Forums > All Posts > Banning Plastic Bags

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2011-01-07 08:45 PM

LLBarry
Beverly, MA
Posts: 299

We all know recylcing is good... Now what about going to the extreame that Italy is and complteley banning plastic bags?

What do you think? Will this help? Is it a good idea?

2011-01-11 05:15 PM

sbfriedman
Denton, TX
Posts: 931

Maybe not mandatory. How about tax cuts for corporations and businesses to encourage them to switch to more environmentally friendly bags? I'm not sure if that would work either though. Businesses focus on their bottom line. But they also really focus on public perception. So, the most effective way to produce change is to sway the public opinion on plastic bags from "They're not so good for the environment"...to... "I'm not shopping there. They still use plastic bags!" If that can be done with ethical integrity (wishful thinking I know) then that would be the best approach.

2011-01-12 08:22 AM

Schmidt
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1058

Refer to: World is Green website.

I like the solution of charging 10 cents for plastic bags, but then having recycling centers that pay back 8 cents per bag. In Michigan, I saw how charging a refundable 10 cents per aluminum can or glass/plastic bottle worked to virtually eliminate this kind of roadside litter. If someone littered with a can or bottle, another person had the economic incentive to pick it up for a refund.

In Colorado, Whole Foods offers a 10 cent per bag discount for bringing your own bag (which we donate anyway), but I think the reverse of charging 10 cents per grocery store bag would psychologically be more effective. Other grocery chains offer a 5 cent discount.

We have our own supply of sturdy canvas bags and much prefer them to grocery store plastic bags, with or without the discount. Once people can get in the habit of carrying those in their car, it just becomes second nature to use them and even pack your own bags.

For some, however, any regulations regarding the use of or charging fees for plastic bags would be Big Government interfering in the free market.

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