Bags, Bags, Everywhere

In the my news now blog titled “ban of the bags”, the author highlights the much heated discussion of plastic, single-use bags and how they will eventually be charged for in 2014 if consumers continue to use them in the future, in Austin. The author makes some good points and brings up a discussion that many did not know was a part of the equation, the waiving of fees of “banned bags” for low income residents on food assistance programs.

However, in quoting an article from the Austin American Statesman, the author failed to use a current article after the actual bag ban was passed in the early morning hours of March 2, 2012. In no current article does it discuss the waiving of the fee for those on food assistance programs. In fact, it was only after doing some research and visiting the Austin City Council’s website that I found the full details of the bag ban, which only exempts food pantries, not all those on food assistance. Obviously, by the time someone needs to visit a food pantry for assistance, paying for a bag to put the food in should not be something they need to worry about, and the Austin City Council understood that. Also, the one year implementation guideline completely went away with the final vote, so the ban goes into effect in 2013.

One of the biggest issues that many have not yet thought about in this discussion though is the fact that the price of using a plastic or paper bag, after the ban is enacted, is determined by the retailer. “Consumers will be able to choose the type of bag they would like to use at retail counters in Austin: Reusable bags that you bring from home at no cost. Plastic bag, 4 mil in thickness, with handles. Retailer sets the price of the bags. Paper bag made of recycled content, with handles. Retailer sets the price of the bags. Purchase another type of reusable bag from the retailer. Retailer sets the price of these bags.” What happens when no one tells the consumer until they have already purchased the goods at Target, that they have to pay $4 a bag? The Austin City Council wants to stay out of the discussion of costs the retailers change, and I agree, but they should have also at least set a cap on the maximum amount a retailer could charge, since they reduced the implementation time, and also took paper bags out of the equation.

These are a few of the issues missed by the author that would have added a lot of weight to the argument. In the end, all consumers should be responsible for paying the bag fee if they choose not to comply, but all retailers should also be responsible for not making them pay, in more ways than one.