According to the New York Times, if things go Mayor Michael Bloomberg's way, New York City residents could look forward to paying 6 cents for plastic bags when they forget their reusable tote. This is the NYC Mayor's latest attempt to discourage people from using plastic bags. As a bonus, the fee could generate $16 million a year for the city (assuming New Yorkers aren't sufficiently discouraged by a 6 cent/per bag fee).
What do you think? Survey after the jump.
Via the New York Times
Emily's Rochester Merrypad 
How To: Upgrade a Wall Outlet to USB Functionality
Like us on Facebook
RSS Feed (Atom)
Hand-Crocheted Hamm...
Re-Growing Green Onions: Grow Your Scallions Back on Your Windowsill
Recipe to Feed a Crowd: Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef
Comments (6)
Well, I love discouraging plastic bag use. If a store came up with this on their own, I would show my love of this concept by shopping there proudly and letting the owner know.
HOWEVER, the government is forcing private businesses into this?! Scary. The government has no right to impose something like this on privately owned businesses.
There's not "way unhot" answer for this, or I would click that one.
to above:
he probably won't force anyone to do it, but rather create a consensus that's good for everyone...
and this program sounds good for everyone...
Low-priced grocery stores in Canada have been selling plastic bags for a nickle for years and people still buy hanks of bags rather than using the free cardboard boxes, or bringing their own bags. Maybe it'll work better in NY.
Ireland has been doing this for years, quite successfully. Maybe it's time we followed suit. In regard to the comment above, maybe the price needs to be higher so people will get serious about bringing reusable bags. This article says the Irish shops charged 15 cents a bag and have cut down the use of them significantly.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2205419.stm
What took so long!? When I lived in Hamburg, Germany in 1993, grocery stores were charging ten cents (or the German equivalent) per bag. I made sure to bring a tote after that. Plus, I've noticed that my local grocery store in Brooklyn is now selling some mighty-fine totes, so there's no excuse to use 'em.
THis would suck for me, as my kitchen trash actually uses plastic grocery bags (on purpose). So all this owuld mean is that I would have to purchase Glad or whatever brand small bags, or else throw out a perfectly good trash container and buy a new one.