Plastic Bag Charging Works
by Bonnie Alter, London on 07.25.08
Charging for plastic bags at the supermarket works--people really do bring their own. Ten weeks ago Marks & Spencer instituted a 5 pence (10 cents) charge on plastic bags at its stores. Since then customers have used 70 million fewer bags. That's an 80% decrease in use. Who would have thought! These are among the first statistics showing the impact of banning bags and they are impressive. At the same time, the company has sold ten million of its own store-brand hessian green bags-for-life; donating the 1.85pence profit made on each one to Groundwork, an environmental charity--$400,000 so far.
The British Government, in its upcoming Climate Change Bill, has given the other big supermarkets until next April to switch over to charging. If they don't do it, the Government will set a mandatory fee for bags. A representative of British supermarkets has called this move "a steamroller to crack a walnut". Environmentalists are concerned that the over-packaging of food is a much more important issue--one the Bill does not address.
Now there is no uniformity; supermarkets offer a range: some hide the bags under the counter, others charge, others give customer points for reusing the bags, whilst others sell bags. Ikea, B&Q, Debenhams, Body Shop, Whole Foods Market and Oxfam have banned free plastic bags or are running trials on charges. Discounter food stores such as Aldi and Lidl have been charging for years. :: The Times
More on Charging for Plastic Bags
:: Ikea Bans Plastic Bags
:: China's Plastic Bag Ban
:: San Francisco to Ban Plastic Bags
:: Modbury: A Year without Plastic
:: Big Ban: Phase 2
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California has legislation coming down the pipe to tax plastic bags, and the only reason I know is that I've been hearing radio ads "sponsored by stopthebagtax.com" that are trying to kill the proposition.
I you go there, you'll see that it's really "Sponsored by the Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council and The California Film Extruders and Converters Association" (links mine)
I could go on to list members and directors and money interests here, but I think that's pretty obvious.
When visiting New Zealand two years ago, I learned that grocery stores all over the country charge for plastic bags. I think this is a great idea.
When visiting New Zealand two years ago, I learned that grocery stores all over the country charge for plastic bags. I think this is a great idea.
Excellent idea, should be adopted everywhere. I especially like the donations to charities for the profits.
I must say I support the charging more than the bans. And 80% decrease in use with a fee that is trivial compared to the value of the groceries that can fit in the bag indicates that people are ripe for changing!
The problem with bans is that people will feel they have been violated, that the change has been forced upon them. Feelings will be hurt, and rebellions will occur.
The fee gives users time to change, a reason to change, and, when they do change, a feeling that they did it for their own reasons.
I had been living abroad for 5 years, and was used to bags being unavailable or for a price. Having just moved back to Canada I am sick with the amount of plastic bags everyone uses here. I even get attitude from clerks whenever I try to use my own re-usable bags, and they insist on putting a sticker on each of my items...it's just silly.
This is a brilliant idea. I previously commented on Treehugger that the key to solving this problem permanently is to completely phase out plastic bags in stores and replace them with reusable bags made of cloth which are charged.
But that is a bit radical step for many. There is a high entry barrier - you have to convince stores that it's possible to completely switch to reusable bags and you have to educate people that this is needed.
Charging people for plastic bags can be the first step that can help in the transition to a complete plastic-free shopping experience. Education would still be needed but the transition would be much smoother. I'm going to pitch this plan to the authorities in the local shopping complex. Thanks for posting this.
Those of you who think the tax is a great idea should be the ones to pay it. I'm sick and tired of being taxed on everything. Aren't you? You must all be wealthy.
I started usng canvas shopping bags in the early 90's and have continued to do so. Up until recently I got these funny looks-- as if I ate only tofu and alpha sprouts. The worst thing was, if I wasn't quick enough, they'd put my stuff in plastic bags and insert them into the canvas ones. Now I am proud to have been ahead of the curve. I think it's a great idea to charge for them. If we can slow down the use of petroleun even a little bit we have big benefits. I have at least ten reusable bags and I keep them in my car. It's easy; and they are a lot stronger. What is the matter with us that we can't do a little bit to help ourselves and the environment?
Think this is a fantastic idea that is long past due.
I lived in South Africa where it has been in effect for a number of years for a good reason. The plastic bags were referred to as the national flower of South Africa, until stores (grocery) were directed to charge .21 South Africa cents (which is only about $.03 US). Now the problem has gone away and many people bring bags back to reuse or find other uses for grocery bags. Hope people vote this into law.
Think this is a fantastic idea that is long past due.
I lived in South Africa where it has been in effect for a number of years for a good reason. The plastic bags were referred to as the national flower of South Africa, until stores (grocery) were directed to charge .21 South Africa cents (which is only about $.03 US). Now the problem has gone away and many people bring bags back to reuse or find other uses for grocery bags. Hope people vote this into law.
If we would only recycle the plastic grocery bags the polution problem would go away. I recycle my grocery bags as trash can liners and doggie poop pick-up gloves. Thus nothing is wasted. Just throwing empty plastic bags in the trash is wrong. Fees for bags are not necessary and only another way for govermnent to intrude on our freedoms.