04 March 2008

Plastic Bag Tax

Citizens in Ireland have been faced with a tax on plastic bags for the past five months. In doing so, the government has reduced the use of the litter producing bags by 90 percent and increased revenue.

I feel that this a great measure in helping reduce the litter of these bags. They clog up the environment and create dangerous situations for some animals as well. Not to mention that they require oil to be manufactured.

I have already seen a trend where more and more people are beginning to use reusable bags to do their shopping, but it hasn't quite reached the mainstream just yet. I believe that the U.S. could learn a thing or two about this.

In fact, why should we stop at plastic bags? Why don't we start taxing everything else that is not eco-friendly? I believe that gasoline should be taxed more than it is at the moment. If it were, you would begin to see people drive more fuel efficient vehicles, ride bikes more often and use more public transportation.

But instead we will continue to invade nations that provide us with a steady cheap oil supply. What ever happened to using innovation and invention to overcome obstacles? I know most Americans do not share my sentiment, but if we are to ever turn our polluting ways around, the government will have to step in and either mandate certain policies, or tax us for choosing more polluting alternatives.

What are your ideas or opinions on the subject? I would love to hear from you. Just leave a comment below.