In December 2009 Poland announced that it would be looking to increase the tax on plastic bags in order to change the views of the consumer to start reusing bags. In January 2010, however, Poland has decided to back out of their promise of raising tax causing outrage within many green and pro recycling activists. However, the real question to consider is, should we really depend on the government to force us to into changing our habits or should we decide for ourselves if we want to recycle and re use plastic bags or not?
As you would expect the opinion on this matter is split, especially for those of us in the UK who believe that we are, in effect, in a nanny state.
On one side of the argument the greener people would say that the government should do its part, even if it is by forcing us to change our ways as it is their fault for creating this community. In a way we have to agree, as just like smoking, the government first said that it was okay, then they did a U turn and then started to block the usage by age, amount even by taxing tobacco in order to forcibly stop those of us who are money conscious. If we were to do this with plastic bags then the next logical step to tale would be that of which Poland first promised in that we would increase the amount a plastic bag cost to an amount such as 10+p. By rising the prices to such an amount people will start to think twice about buying them and will be more inclined to take the small price jump to get reusable bags that are more durable (such as tote bags).
On the other side of the argument you can argue, as did the smokers at the time, that although it was first introduced by the government it is still their choice. The problem with their argument is that they were already addicted to the product and as such what they had to say was purely influenced by their need for the nicotine within the cigarettes. When we compare this to the use of plastic bags we are, in a way, addicted to the usage of plastic bags, we take them for granted, throw them away without thought and buy them again in the same way. We have done it for so long, so many times and watched so many other people do it that not only have we learnt the behaviour but we have also become addicted to it as a process of shopping.
When you ask a person what things they think of when they recall a shopping trip people will usually say the bag that their items come in last, if at all. What this shows is that we do not truly case about the packaging our good come in, but the thought of change is what makes us want to rebel. Adaptability to environment may have made us the dominant species, but our refusal to change ourselves socially will be the death of the environment.
Author Resource:-
Make a difference to the number of plastic bags going to waste, use reusable bags over plastic bags. There are many styles and varieties and sizes of tote bags available at Bag It Don’t Bin It. http://www.bagitdontbinit.com/
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