Seattle Approves Disposable Grocery Bag Fee…
I have mixed feelings on this grocery bag fee.
While I do my best to be eco-friendly (both personally and business-wise) it seems like charging people an extra fee (even though it’s only .20 per bag) is more like punishing them than offering an incentive to be earth-friendly.
The stores that we shop at (not in Seattle) offer a discount per bag when we bring in our reusable shopping bags…so not only do I feel good about not using paper/plastic bags I feel the store is behind me and supporting my eco-decision!
Perhaps Seattle could have come up with better ways to educate, promote and help people transition from paper/plastic to reusable bags by offering a discount per bag for bringing in your own, a special discount coupon to purchase eco-friendly shopping bags or hold events and contests to educate the consumer on why it is a good idea to make the switch.
Sadly Seattle has decided the best way to educate people on this issue is to hit them in the pocketbook (right along with the high gas prices and the ever increasing cost of purchasing food).
Note: I do support the ban on styrofoam food/beverage containers! There is just no way these things are even remotely recyclable!
I am curious to hear from food vendors and restaurant owners: What container product will you be using to replace styrofoam?
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Seattle Approves Disposable Grocery Bag Fee
By Gary Chittam / King 5 News
SEATTLE – Starting next year, shoppers at Seattle stores will have to bring their own bags to carry their purchases home or face a 20 cent per bag fee.
The Seattle City Council voted 6-1 to impose the fee on disposable paper and plastic bags starting January 1.
Only Jan Drago voted against it. She supports the idea, but warns the city is getting pushy.
“The day will come in this city when people will say ‘enough is enough. This council, this mayor, this city have asked too much,’” said Drago.
The idea is to encourage reusable, rather than disposable, bag use, and it’s been met by a chorus of loud debate in city council chambers.
By some estimates, Seattleites use 360 million disposable shopping bags each year.
People on both sides of the issue have tried to sway the vote of city council members.
Those supporting the fee are concerned about the litter left behind by plastic bags.
Grocers worry that a fee will discriminate against lower income customers.
“And I think after a couple of months if implementation, we’ll all look back and wonder what the fuss was all about,” said councilmember Tim Burgess.
Also, taking affect January 1 is a ban on Styrofoam food and beverage containers. Stores will also have to find alternatives for clear plastic containers and plastic forks and spoons, which will be banned in 18 months. Many compostable alternatives are already being used.
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Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco-Friendly Spa Products
Gentle on your body…
Gentle on the earth…
