From Bags to Riches
A representative wants to tax consumers in the Constitution State for using plastic bags:
Fawcett’s working concept, which has already been introduced in the environment committee of the state legislature, is to impose a fee of 5 cents for each plastic and paper bag used at retail checkout counters, creating a stream of revenue which could possibly be targeted to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
If such legislation is put into effect, Connecticut would be the first state in the nation to legislate a restriction on plastic and paper bags, said Fawcett.
Fawcett said that the recently approved ordinance banning the use of plastic bags in Westport “got the ball rolling” and “started a conversation” among state legislators who have been trying to come up with a restriction that would make sense on a statewide level.
On its face this seems well and good: It turns the hidden cost of plastic bags to a direct one that the consumer can then choose to pay or not. A 2007 report to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (pdf) estimated that each consumer pays $18 a year in hidden costs for plastic bags. Folks like me who already use a canvas bag for their groceries would seemingly benefit far better by paying for overall cheaper groceries than we do now with the nickel rebate we sometimes — sometimes — receive at the checkout for bringing our own bags.
Except that’s not what’s happening here. Fawcett’s plan forces the store to penalize the consumer, then turn the money over to the state. That’s called a sales tax. Anyone using reusable bags still pays higher prices for groceries because the store still has to pay for plastic bags; they’re just channeling money from consumer to government. If anything, the hidden costs go up due to administration.
But let’s pretend this isn’t about developing new revenue streams to pay for corpulent budgets during the downturn. Let’s imagine this really is about the environment, about making citizens use fewer plastic bags. Perhaps the state will allow the store to keep the cost of the bag — say, three cents — and pass the remainder over to Auntie Rell. Still a sales tax but not as high. What about the practical issues? The clerk at a manned checkout line can simply ring up the number of bags you use. But what’s supposed to happen at the automated counters? Should an attendant stand there and add the bags to your total? Defeats the purpose of automation. Bar codes on the bags that you scan as you would a gallon of milk or a box of spaghetti? More hidden costs of implementation. Am I shoplifter fit for arrest and prosecution if I take an extra bag? Costs of enforcement.
Memo to Rep. Fawcett: Some of us already use reusable bags of our own volition; some stores (like IKEA) have ceased offering them in response to consumer demand. Free will is some crazy shizzle.
-
Jackson
-
Sabayon
