Comments on: New York Mayor Proposes Charge on Plastic Bags http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/ Future-forward design for the world you inhabit Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:34:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Suzipoohttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/comment-page-1/#comment-111133 Suzipoo Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:32:02 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/#comment-111133 Ireland has had the plastic bag levy since around 2002 and all of the revenue gained goes to the Irish government who (say they) use this to invest in green technologies and support sustainable development.In my opinion, it has been very successful - mainly because we do not wish to pay for plastic bags and so recycle or use totes etc a lot more (hence the drastic reduction in plastic bag use). However, if one needs, for 15c (euros) one can buy a plastic bag where at least the revenue is intended for good use.I have recently moved to the UK where there is no such levy but a few \\\'enterprisig\\\' businesses have decided to start charging for bags in an effort to \\\'encourage\\\' customers to bring their own. This makes me uncomfortable - as it seems that they are manipulating a good idea to generate individual profit (not that I am against profit per se) but if I have to pay for a crappy quality plastic bag merely for environmental purposes, then I at least want to know that my 5p (or whatever) is giving something back to replace this environmental cost of this bag, Ireland has had the plastic bag levy since around 2002 and all of the revenue gained goes to the Irish government who (say they) use this to invest in green technologies and support sustainable development.

In my opinion, it has been very successful – mainly because we do not wish to pay for plastic bags and so recycle or use totes etc a lot more (hence the drastic reduction in plastic bag use). However, if one needs, for 15c (euros) one can buy a plastic bag where at least the revenue is intended for good use.

I have recently moved to the UK where there is no such levy but a few \\\’enterprisig\\\’ businesses have decided to start charging for bags in an effort to \\\’encourage\\\’ customers to bring their own. This makes me uncomfortable – as it seems that they are manipulating a good idea to generate individual profit (not that I am against profit per se) but if I have to pay for a crappy quality plastic bag merely for environmental purposes, then I at least want to know that my 5p (or whatever) is giving something back to replace this environmental cost of this bag,

]]> By: gypsyhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/comment-page-1/#comment-110940 gypsy Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:02:21 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/#comment-110940 Same in South Africa - you pay for each plastic bag. I remembered when I move to Germany in the early 90\'s and I showed up at the grocery store the first time with out a canvas bag. I did not only paid for the plastic bag but was given a lecture with an \"evil eye\" look! That was the last time I showed up with out a canvas bag. A happen I still have. I say charge every one 50c a bag in the states. Same in South Africa – you pay for each plastic bag. I remembered when I move to Germany in the early 90\’s and I showed up at the grocery store the first time with out a canvas bag. I did not only paid for the plastic bag but was given a lecture with an \”evil eye\” look! That was the last time I showed up with out a canvas bag. A happen I still have.
I say charge every one 50c a bag in the states.

]]> By: SPGhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/comment-page-1/#comment-110877 SPG Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:47:47 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/#comment-110877 Europe has had a bag fee since at least the late 80's in many stores and here in Seattle we're doing the same thing starting in January. It's hardly controversial for anyone who's travelled at all, but the exurban libertarians are up in arms over it. Europe has had a bag fee since at least the late 80’s in many stores and here in Seattle we’re doing the same thing starting in January. It’s hardly controversial for anyone who’s travelled at all, but the exurban libertarians are up in arms over it.

]]> By: sweetandtastyhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/comment-page-1/#comment-110828 sweetandtasty Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:17:41 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/11/10/new-york-to-charge-for-plastic-bags/#comment-110828 The idea is nothing new. In Korea, they've been charging plastic bags for years. They've been charging at least 1 won (roughly 1 dollar) for each bag. I think the plastic bags should be more expensive in New York. 6 cents is not enough to make people bring their own bags. The idea is nothing new. In Korea, they’ve been charging plastic bags for years. They’ve been charging at least 1 won (roughly 1 dollar) for each bag. I think the plastic bags should be more expensive in New York. 6 cents is not enough to make people bring their own bags.

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