Should a law pass to charge consumers a fee or tax if they require a grocery ba

1. 56

   charm_bakerposted 14 years ago

   Should a law pass to charge consumers  a fee or tax if they require a grocery bag after shopping?
   
   I was recently inspired to write a hub about a reusable tote bag in order to promote green living.  Based on the above question, the ideal of saving a few thousand trees and decreasing plastic waste appeals to me.  I don't however, know if I agree that we should have to pay "big businesses" even more for the privilege of spending our money with them!

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2. 44

   phos4usposted 14 years ago

   A few years ago, here in South Africa, it was decided that all consumers wanting a plastic packet at the checkout should pay an additional fee. This encouraged people to start using more durable reusable bags.
   
   It worked. We don't have nearly as much plastic bag related litter as we used to. A success story if you ask me.

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3. 61

   JonSterlingposted 14 years ago

   I personally do not believe in all the taxing that goes on in some states and countries - but the carrot and stick routine does work well - just advertise that you can save X.xx amount of dollars if you bring in your "Green Shopping Bags" on each purchase - People are basically cheap and only a few people will not care and pay the service charge.

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4. 60

   Merdeegoposted 14 years ago

   Visited Ontario Canada this summer.  If you don't have your own Green bags they charge you a nickel per plastic bag used at the grocery.  I assumed that the store was getting the money but maybe it is a tax.
   
   Most other retail stores asked if you needed a bag.

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5. 59

   Wealthmadehealthyposted 14 years ago

   Why should the representatives and/or a  city council waste time passing a law on this??  How in the world do you think you would get your groceries out of the store without a shopping bag??? 
   
   We are all asked paper of plastic....Everyone in MY mind should take plastic because when you use paper, this is causing another tree to be cut down....Why don't they just shut the stores down and then you wouldn't have to worry about another ignorant law????
   
   What happens when you buy groceries for a month at a time???  Why create yet another law for us to be bothered by, don't we have enough fees to pay already???   Thanks dabeaner, agree with ya!

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6. 66

   2uesdayposted 14 years ago

   How difficult is it to remember to take reusable bags with you when you shop?  Yes sometimes I forget, but most of the time I take a Fair Trade cotton bag with me for a small amount of shopping or a selection of strong reusable bags for a larger amount of shopping. If I can remember to do this why should I need a law made to force me to do it. I think it is about not being selfish and using up resources unnecessarily.

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7. 83

   mulberry1posted 13 years ago

   My answer would be no. I think a tax would be just another piece of red tape. However, I think if people had to pay a few pennies for the plastic bag, they would opt to skip it and bring their own. No red tape, just a tiny fee for the use of the bag.
   
   It's not that I want to pay or even really think I should have to... but some changes need to happen whether it's convenient for me or not.

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8. 84

   stricktlydatingposted 13 years ago

   A variety of large department stores (Such as Target) here in Australia charge a small fee for plastic grocery bags if you don't bring your own bag.

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9. 52

   morducaiposted 13 years ago

   From an economical viewpoint, Yes the consumer should pay for their grocery bags.
   
   From an environmental viewpoint, It doesn't affect that much or nothing at all. Countries that have a tradition of the consumers paying for their plastic bags at the counter usually pay for it instead of bringing their own textile bag or reuse an old one. If it's going to affect the use of plastic it has to be a discouraging price, 1$ a bag would probably be enough, combined with extra efforts to make the customers bring their own bag.

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