And the taxes keep coming................. (Bowie, Crofton: prices, groceries, shop)

[UrbanScholar]

It appears that the bag tax has come around again. If it passes I will be investing in more reusable bags. I refuse to pay for a bag when I question if its going to really help the environment or are they going to use it to close the deficit gap.

Maryland: Prince George's could add 5-cent bag tax - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/business/taxes/articles/2012/03/05/maryland_prince_georges_could_add_5_cent_bag_tax/ - broken link)

[justtitans]

I don't really understand this tax at all. Are there statistics to support the claim that it helps the environment? I mean when I go outside, I don't just see bags on the ground. I see a lot of other things, so are we going to tax those too? Uh oh, let me not speak too soon after all it is O' Malley, you know.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

I don't really understand this tax at all. Are there statistics to support the claim that it helps the environment? I mean when I go outside, I don't just see bags on the ground. I see a lot of other things, so are we going to tax those too? Uh oh, let me not speak too soon after all it is O' Malley, you know.

Lol agreed. From what I recall when DC implemented it it's about minimizing the amount of non-biodegradable materials in landfills etc. Although they have made millions on the tax I have heard very little about how it is being used for green efforts in the District be it in the news or from friends active in the community/politics

[badchad]

Although completely anecdotal, in Montgomery county I've noticed a huge effect from the "bag tax". It seems like a VAST majority of people have switched to reusable bags and very few people pay the "tax" for plastic bags.

The environmental effect remains to be seen, but I'd guess that FAR fewer plastic bags are leaving the stores in MoCo.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

It appears that the bag tax has come around again. If it passes I will be investing in more reusable bags. I refuse to pay for a bag when I question if its going to really help the environment or are they going to use it to close the deficit gap.

Maryland: Prince George's could add 5-cent bag tax - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/business/taxes/articles/2012/03/05/maryland_prince_georges_could_add_5_cent_bag_tax/ - broken link)

This is the whole point, to get you to bring your own reusable bag to the store. I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing becoming "law", but many stores already charge you 5¢ per bag, check your receipts. This is nothing new. Individual stores have been doing this for years.

Personally I like canvas bags; they are really durable and easier to carry. I don't have to worry about them tearing or the handles breaking away.

Originally Posted by pgtitans

I don't really understand this tax at all. Are there statistics to support the claim that it helps the environment? I mean when I go outside, I don't just see bags on the ground. I see a lot of other things, so are we going to tax those too? Uh oh, let me not speak too soon after all it is O' Malley, you know.

It's about landfills. Plastic bags do not biodegrade....or they take a really long time. Never mind. I keep forgetting this is Maryland...the state where people believe it is perfectly okay and normal to toss garbage out their car windows and leave full-sized garbage bags on the side of the road...in parking lots...anywhere.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

This is the whole point, to get you to bring your own reusable bag to the store. I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing becoming "law", but many stores already charge you 5¢ per bag, check your receipts. This is nothing new. Individual stores have been doing this for years.

Personally I like canvas bags; they are really durable and easier to carry. I don't have to worry about them tearing or the handles breaking away.

I understand that is the point but my issue is the accountability on the backend. It appears that implementation of this form of sustainability has not been a game changer in the efforts to be green. I also feel that these jurisdictions should not have the ability to re-directing funds for purposes not related to being green or sustainable. If they want to use the money for other things be upfront with it.

It's about landfills. Plastic bags do not biodegrade....or they take a really long time. Never mind. I keep forgetting this is Maryland...the state where people believe it is perfectly okay and normal to toss garbage out their car windows and leave full-sized garbage bags on the side of the road...in parking lots...anywhere.

Speaking of garbage bags don't they also clutter the landfills. If so how do we address that?

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

It appears that the bag tax has come around again. If it passes I will be investing in more reusable bags. I refuse to pay for a bag when I question if its going to really help the environment or are they going to use it to close the deficit gap.

Maryland: Prince George's could add 5-cent bag tax - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/business/taxes/articles/2012/03/05/maryland_prince_georges_could_add_5_cent_bag_tax/ - broken link)

I think there is an overall affect. You forget, there are a lot of cheap people who would balk at even a 5 cent charge. Second, it raises the awareness of using reusable bags. Especially when the cashier asks if you have your own bags. It keeps it in the forefront of peoples' minds. My wife and I switched a long time ago. It is convenient and you don't have to worry about filling up your trash with all those bags after you go shopping. Even now, I sometimes carry items in my hands out of the store if I purchased only two or three items.

[selhars]

I do a lot is not most of my shopping in Anne Arundel. This is just another good reason to keep doing that.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

I think there is an overall affect. You forget, there are a lot of cheap people who would balk at even a 5 cent charge. Second, it raises the awareness of using reusable bags. Especially when the cashier asks if you have your own bags. It keeps it in the forefront of peoples' minds. My wife and I switched a long time ago. It is convenient and you don't have to worry about filling up your trash with all those bags after you go shopping. Even now, I sometimes carry items in my hands out of the store if I purchased only two or three items.

I wouldn't necessarily call it being cheap. For some families that extra 5 cents a bag can break them. My biggest issue with it is if we need to go green then go green all the way. Start forcing people to start using biodegradable garbage bags (those are plastic to). As a matter of fact ban all plastic products in the county or create a tax on those products. My thing is does focusing on one facet make a statement or is it just being symbolic with no weight behind it. The other question I have is, if they implement the bag tax, will they require merchants the cost of goods since they factor the expense of bags into their retail price? As for the bags, I have never just thrown the bags away after putting up the groceries. I will use them as mini trash bags or bags for my dogs when I am out walking. At the end of the day though I can adjust to the situation. My only concern is will this tax actually be used to help the environment or diverted for some other purpose. If the latter I am not for it.

[bowian]

Originally Posted by selhars

I do a lot is not most of my shopping in Anne Arundel. This is just another good reason to keep doing that.

Have you shopped at the Giant in Crofton, off Davidsonville Rd? Do you find the prices to be cheaper or more expensive than the Giants in Bowie?

If this tax goes into effect, I suppose the stores won't mind if you bring your arsenal of hoarded plastic bags to the store with you to pack your goods, eh?

I have a bunch of reusable bags, but lately I've been forgetting to take them into the store. I currently recycle my plastic bags by picking up after my dog.