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Coming Soon: Plastic Bag Tax!
By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 7, 2008
Modified Nov 7, 2008
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 7, 2008
Modified Nov 7, 2008
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Earlier this year the City Council passed a bill requiring stores over 5,000 square-feet to offer recycling for plastic bags, as well as have bins where bags can be returned. Now the NY Post is reporting that Mayor Bloomberg has proposed a charge of 5-cent per plastic bag for shoppers who choose to use them (over, say, their own reusable grocery bags). "The plan - which may need approval from the state Legislature if it's determined to be a tax - may include charging shoppers 6 cents, with a penny going to stores as incentive for collecting the new tax," the paper reports--all in all it's a move that could bring in around $16 million for the city. While some cheered on the idea, others expressed concerns, and a Harlem bodega owner noted that "It may work at the bigger stores, but it won't work for bodega. People want free bags all the time."
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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