plastic bag ban has negative effects on local economy (Austin: home, to buy)

[HappyTexan]

Posting this story because Austin has a plastic bag ban going into effect next year.
This article is about a study done one year after the bag ban went into effect in a California city.


Study: Plastic bag ban affects spending | KXAN.com
A report from the National Center for Policy Analysis says a study done in communities that have banned the use of plastic shopping bags results in shoppers going to areas that do not have such a ban -- affecting revenues and employment.
..
NCPA says it surveyed store managers in Los Angeles County, which has had a ban since July 2011, and the results show an impact on store revenues and levels of employment.
According to the NCPA study , there was a 10 percent reduction over the one-year periods studied, both before and after the ban on plastic bags. In comparison, 60 percent of the areas without the ban showed a 9 percent average increase in sales.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

Posting this story because Austin has a plastic bag ban going into effect next year.
This article is about a study done one year after the bag ban went into effect in a California city.


Study: Plastic bag ban affects spending | KXAN.com
A report from the National Center for Policy Analysis says a study done in communities that have banned the use of plastic shopping bags results in shoppers going to areas that do not have such a ban -- affecting revenues and employment.
..
NCPA says it surveyed store managers in Los Angeles County, which has had a ban since July 2011, and the results show an impact on store revenues and levels of employment.
According to the NCPA study , there was a 10 percent reduction over the one-year periods studied, both before and after the ban on plastic bags. In comparison, 60 percent of the areas without the ban showed a 9 percent average increase in sales.

Makes complete sense, on one level. Not sure I'd personally drive out of the way for plastic bags, especially in Austin traffic.

"Honey, I'll be back in a few hours. I'm driving to Pflugerville to buy some groceries".

But we do in fact put them to good use in many ways around the house. Mainly as trashbin liners, extra wrapping for frozen food, lunch totes during the school year, etc.

Steve

[10scoachrick]

Even though we live inside the Austin city limits, the closest grocery stores are in Round Rock(kinda sorta Brushy Creek) and Cedar Park. I almost always use a 'permanent' bag, but I reckon I won't have to worry if I forget. Maybe we should widen Parmer Lane up here where it crosses into Cedar Park. No wonder HEB is expanding that store!

[Austinite101]

I have to question the legitimacy of this study. The NCPA is a conservative think tank. There is an obvious motive for wanting to prove this. And the effects of a ban, if any, are most likely milked in order to advance their agenda. I'd like to see a study done that is neutral, and that actually produces an outcome based on more than one area.

[capcat]

I certainly wouldn't go out of my way for plastic bags. Talking to a couple in their 70s/early 80s a few days ago who remember groceries being delivered in metal crates, which I guess lasted quite a while. I think stackable, nested crates/bins might be the way I go forward with this. I already have some at home anyway.

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

I have to question the legitimacy of this study. The NCPA is a conservative think tank. There is obvious motive for wanting to prove this. And the effects of a ban, if any, are most likely milked in order to advance their agenda. I'd like to see a study done that is neutral, and that actually produces an outcome based on more than one area.

I have to agree. When reviewing a study, the first thing to look at is who is doing the study, and do they have in interest in the results coming out one way or the other. The second thing to look at is how the study was actually conducted, including too small a sample (as in just one location.)

[OpenD]

This is a non-issue, IMHO. If you don't remember to bring a bag with you, you'll buy a reusable bag for a dollar. No big whup.

Do that enough times and you'll start remembering to bring the reusables bags with you. No big whup.

Drive out of my way to get a free plastic bag? Are you serious?

[Austinite101]

HEB gave out free reusable bags some months ago.

[Trainwreck20]

HEB is 200 yards from my house. The nearest non-COA grocery is probably Randalls/HEB in Westlake, 8 or 9 miles away (maybe more?). I could buy new reusable bags every time and come out way ahead.....

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

Posting this story because Austin has a plastic bag ban going into effect next year.
This article is about a study done one year after the bag ban went into effect in a California city.


Study: Plastic bag ban affects spending | KXAN.com
A report from the National Center for Policy Analysis says a study done in communities that have banned the use of plastic shopping bags results in shoppers going to areas that do not have such a ban -- affecting revenues and employment.
..
NCPA says it surveyed store managers in Los Angeles County, which has had a ban since July 2011, and the results show an impact on store revenues and levels of employment.
According to the NCPA study , there was a 10 percent reduction over the one-year periods studied, both before and after the ban on plastic bags. In comparison, 60 percent of the areas without the ban showed a 9 percent average increase in sales.

80 large stores, 700 small stores. Response rate was 3%. 23 stores is not a large enough sample to draw any conclusions.