20 cent tax on grocery bags enacted (Seattle: how much, taxi, taxes)

[Freebird2007]

Originally Posted by seattlenextyear

Ah, then you need one of those cute nylon folding bags that you can easily just stick in your briefcase. They're about 2 oz each. I think you can handle that?

I can barely fit in my good old starbucks mug in my laptop bag.

[seattlerain]

Originally Posted by Freebird2007

I can barely fit in my good old starbucks mug in my laptop bag.

Anywhere you have room for a sheet of paper you can store a nylon shopping bag...

[tada]

Originally Posted by 70Ford

(scenario that will likely happen)

I'm also picturing people loading the groceries into their arms, and slipping and falling in the rain, eventually ending up in the hospital.

[TrishaJ]

Originally Posted by bigtrees

How will taxing bags enforce recycling? This is not a deposit program where you get your 20 cents back when you return your bag! This just a straight tax.

Interesting you say this. Most places where you bring your own bag actually credit (meaning take money off your bill) you, even if it is only 5-10 cents.

I don't understand why so many people are upset about this. I think it's a great change; but on the other hand I view it as such because I've been shopping with my own bags (cloth) for a few years now.

[Ultrarunner]

If they were serious, the council would have offered a discount for bringing in your own bag...

[sean98125]

I think people are annoyed by this because it is more nickel-and-diming from our local government. The cost of living in Seattle has just gone up a little bit, and local stores on the edges of the city are going to lose customers to grocery stores in Burien, Renton and Shoreline. We already have some of the most expensive groceries in the country, and even though grocery stores will see reduced expenses because of this law (and will actually see a little boost to their profits thanks to the subsidy paid to grocery stores from this tax), they aren't going to pass those savings on to the consumer.

Government gets some revenue. Grocery stores cut their expenses and make a little money on those bags that they sell. And the person trying to make ends meet is going to have to remember yet one more thing in their day when they go to the grocery store or else they'll pay a dollar or two more for their bags.

[Freebird2007]

I am annoyed because:

1) now I gotta carry a damn bag with me wherever I go in case I need to buy something at the store

2) this tax is just an excuse to get more money from people who already pay too much

3) government is imposing too many stupid laws on us. facism here we come!

[seattlenextyear]

I think .20 is fair rent to pay for the space your plastic bag will take up in the city landfill.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by seattlenextyear

I think .20 is fair rent to pay for the space your plastic bag will take up in the city landfill.

We recycle, not rent... and for the money Waste Mgmt is charging for Mandatory Garbage Service under penalty of leining your property for non-payment... I feel I've already bought my space in the Landfill many times over.

[seahawksweetie]

I'm all for saving the planet and doing what we can to minimize our impact on Mother Earth, believe me, I'm pagan, so I whole-heartedly believe this.

However, I don't want to be mandated to do things. I don't believe that the govt should have its nose in every aspect of our lives.