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Comment by gxs | Hacker News Reader

Perhaps I've grown too cynical in my old age, but I always figured this was just the grocery lobbies' doing.

We could outright ban the bags (which we have for plastic, not paper). Instead, they literally nickel and dime you every time you shop.

Sure 10 cents a bag isn't a big deal, but 3-4 across millions of customers per year, and now you're talking serious cash.

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In the article, they note that a study found that the small plastic bag charges tended to strongly influence behavior without an outright ban.

Personally, I see it as a win/win. The grocery stores get more money from people obsessed with plastic bags, and the municipality reduces the number of plastic bags wasted.

I actually did read the article and saw that. That tidbit was interesting.

I understand your view and hence why I called myself cynical.

I just moved up from DC to NJ. It definitely modified by behavior. Down there, I didn't want to pay the five cent tax. (IIRC, I think the five cents went to Chesapeake Bay cleanup or something like that. It wasn't more money for the store.) Now that I am in NJ -- where there is no tax -- I still instinctually say, "no bag, thanks."

It strongly affects behavior but also perception of shopping, making it even more miserable.

In your opinion. We have had a similar policy here in Australia for many years and it has had no impact to consumer confidence or shopping behaviour.

People who find the concept to be miserable should rethink their attitude.

Or perhaps they should remain free to have whatever response they have rather than the one you feel they 'should' have.

Yes, I think you are being cynical. If grocers wanted people to use fewer bags, they didn't need to ask the government to create a new tax. They could have simply started charging for them, which would have reduced demand AND they'd get to keep all the nickels and dimes it brings in AND there's no risk of a fine for forgetting to do it.

Also I wouldn't assume that a ban would be more effective than a tax.

most grocery stores in the northeast discount you 5 cents for each re-usable bag you use, all on their own. they've done this for at least a decade. the bags aren't cheap, and the grocery store bundles the cost of them into products.

Does the store get the money, or the government? I thought it was essentially a tax that's sent on to government coffers.

EDIT- In Los Angeles county at least, the fee is retained by the stores 'to help with the cost of compliance'. Whatever that means.

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