Residents of the US capital can expect to spend a few cents extra when going grocery shopping. The city plans to implement a five cent levy on plastic bags used at the checkout line.
Going into action January 1, 2010, it is the first initiative of it’s kind in the U.S. and is an attempt to encourage consumers to take responsibilty for the environment and costs associated with using plastic bags.
Plastic bags, while popular with shoppers, often end up clinging to tree branches, tangled in power lines, polluting rivers and clogging up storm drains.
“I signed this law in July to cut down on the disposable bags that foul our waterways,” said Mayor Adrian Fenty in a statement last month, saying that one particularly urban waterway, the city’s Anacostia River, has been particularly befouled by the plastic shopping bags.
“We want everyone to know that you can save the river, and five cents, if you bring your own reusable bag to the store instead,” the mayor said.
Under the new law, city businesses that sell food or alcohol must charge customers five cents for every disposable paper or plastic carryout bag. The law also requires that these bags be recyclable and carry a message encouraging recycling.”
To prepare for the change, the city government has distributed some 122,000 reusable shopping bags to elderly and low-income residents who complain that their limited spending power will be further hampered by the levy.
The measure is opposed by the American Chemistry Council, which says standard issue plastic bags already are reusable and work just fine.
If you’ve ever shopped at an Aldi’s or Save-a-lot, this is nothing new. But I’m not sure that I completely agree with making this mandatory.
How do you feel about paying five cents extra for a shopping bag.
Valery Amador, Daily Venus Diva -- Daily Venus Diva.
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