Bag fee would cause 'a lot of grief'

This money does not go towards "waste prevention" it goes to hire someone to make sure that the money is collected so that the City of Seattle has enough money to pay this person to make sure that the City has enough money to pay...

This is a tax to increase the size of government.

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. At least the road to Hell is paved. Our roads would be paved if we spent money on concrete and asphalt instead of environmental consultant fees.

This a tax and the people that will pay for it are the ones that can't afford it.

This isn't about revenue to the city. Its about getting people to take responsibility for their actions. We can't throw away things after a single use! Its the same issue as disposable water bottles.

Anybody, rich or poor can come up with bags to take to the grocery store. We need to get away from the use once and throw away lifestyle!

I'll just take my free plastic bag leftovers from neighboring suburbs and go sell them to shoppers for ten cents apiece. :)

I already use a cloth bag for groceries and receive a discount on my groceries at most grocery stores for doing so. And Red Apple... please, you are one of the most overpriced grocery stores around. I don't feel any pity for that grocery chain.

"...huge education process, and it is going to cause a lot of grief..."

What bilge. It will be a short education process, and then people will get over it. I saw the Irish go through this a couple of years ago, when they intro'ed their tax on plastic bags. It didn't take long for people there to build up a supply of reusable bags (a few in the trunk, a few at home), and now it doesn't even require conscious thought to remember to bring one or two along when you go shopping. The countryside is a lot cleaner (not as much rotting plastic stuck in the bushes), and so are the towns.

Yet another reason to do NO shopping at all in Seattle.

This fee takes away my personal choice. I recycle every bag that comes into my house, and now I have to pay for it too, or drag around my own bags? Seattle has become a city that is unfriendly to families and the poor and middle class.

This comment is for Brian who said "This isn't about revenue to the city. It’s about getting people to take responsibility for their actions." You know when will all the BS end! You can't really believe that can you? This is a crazy tax. If the intention was really to conserve, save the environment, and force people to take responsibility for there actions the city would regulate the use of plastic bags at the supply level. This is no more than a grab for money under the guise of a politically correct agenda. The bags are still being supplied just at a cost.

If you want people to conserve and use cloth bags, then do not continue to produce paper and plastic bags. Give each household in the city an average of 4 cloth bags, don't charge for them, as I paid $1.00 a piece for my bags. I have 8 bags that I use all the time, I keep them in my car, so I have them when I shop. If you don't supply the plastic and paper and only supply the cloth, then eventually there will be no more plastic, unless the consumer goes outside of Seattle to a neighboring city to procure the plastic and paper bags.

As an afterthought, how much "city money" went into determining there was a problem and the solution to the problem? Whose pockets are getting lined? Is it the same group that studied and studied and spent billions to determine that Seattle had a transportation problem? Obviously, they don't travel with the majority of commuters, do they?

You are right, Stephig1. But giving someone a bag would cost money and this city is into taking money. The taxes just keep piling up. What I suggest is a sales tax incentive rather than a tax. If someone chooses to use a reusable bag they get 10% off the over all sales tax on the purchase. This way the city doesn't have any money coming out of its pocket directly. On top of this I suggest a graduating scale of fines on business for offering the one use bags. Say place a 90 day grace period from a certain date, and then say every month after the 90 days a progressing fine is placed on the business. This would make the use of plastic and paper bags disappear very quickly. Won't happen though. The city wants your money.

Amen, Apollo, Tammy, Mom of 4, and Dan.

This is just another tax by the cult of the environment headed up by Mayor "Porky" Nichols and "Commie Ronnie" Simms. I used to live in Seattle, and now I would not even THINK about living there anymore. Everything done in that city now is all about collecting revenues under the guise of "going green". I reuse every single plastic bag that get from grocery stores. Not one of them goes into the trash immediately because that's the way choose to live my life. Not because someone's forcing their ideology on me. Taking away my freedoms is not the way to get me on your side. Let me choose, and I will make responsible choices on my own. It's a tax, it hurts the poor and families, and the leadership of Seattle is so blind to that in the way they approach their policy making that it's sickening. I feel very sad that I don't feel I can return to live in Seattle - the city I grew up in and love - because of a runaway government trying to push their agendas on all of us. For those who are going to cry about the environment, I'm not against green-causes. I am against the "anything it costs" approach that they're using and the stripping away of freedoms that make (or made) this region a great place to live. It's the suburbs for me for the forseeable future. *Sigh*

I shop at Top Foods in Everett. They’ve been selling their bright red re-usable bags for quite some time. I think we own about 8 now. I bought them because they are sturdier and the checkers aren’t afraid to load them up (so much better than just a couple items per plastic bag!). Top Foods will give you 5 cents back for every bag you use. I much prefer to be rewarded than punished. Occasionally, I do forget to bring in my bags when I’m on my way home and make a quick stop because I remembered something. I’ll get a paper bag if I do, so I can use it for something else. I use it to wrap boxes that I’m going to mail, or even for wrapping paper (just add some stickers and string and voila!). Or I’ll recycle it after using it to ripen some fruit. I don’t simply trash them. My biggest problem with this is that I don’t believe it’s for “being green.” Unless you mean green as in money. Then I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. This is about revenue. And that turns my stomach. I compost, recycle, use the energy-efficient light bulbs, etc, etc because I think it is important to be environmentally aware; I don’t need something shoved down my throat disguised as something good when it’s about the money. Going green has gone from caring about the environment to an overused cliché. Used by zealots and those who think of their pockets more than anything else.

When I took a 6 country European tour last year, I was surprised to see that many cities over there already do this! My feeling is that many people need a tangible incentive before they will make a change, or they never will.

Wow. Nothing seems to raise the ire of anti-"tax" wingnuts than 20 cents per shopping bag. All this anger and bluster because the stakes are so low?

I'm not an anti-"tax" wing nut. I'm just against over taxation. I pay over 40% of my income in some sort of tax or another. I think that’s way too high! I'm really against the government taking my money and spending it on solutions that don't solve the problems. If you are fine with the government taking just a little more of your money why don't you go live in a communist country or volunteer to pay for my plastic bags. O yeah, Does anyone know how much tax our founding fathers were paying when they dumped tea in the Boston Harbor and started a revolution?

Well put, John and DJ,

For people who keep bringing up Europe, guess what? We're not Europeans! We're Americans! Our cultures and geographies are very different. When a European goes shopping, it's generally a guy hopping on his bike or walking around the corner to pick up one orange, one canned item, and maybe a bouquet of flowers. Basically, the things he'll need for his next meal or two. When we Americans go shopping, it's to Costco or Sam's Club, not the neighborhood open air market (which in some communities here don't even exist). And we're shopping for the entire month, not just our next meal or two. You wanna try lugging a palate of diapers and chicken wings around with you on our public transit system? Never mind that if you happen to live outside of Seattle city limits, taking public transit will waste so much of your time that it just makes more sense to drive (even when it is running on time). Not only that, Europe is more geographically condensed than America - especially the American west! I live in Federal Way, and it's approx 20 miles to Seattle. I'm not going to make multiple trips up and down I-5 to get items I can only get from stores in Seattle to fit my needs for 1 or 2 days. When I go shopping in Seattle, I'm going to get enough to last me for a few weeks worth of items I can't get down here in the south end. Besides, all those trips would contribute more to our carbon-footprint than getting a few plastic or paper bags (that I will reuse) to make just one trip.

The shopping habits and geographical distances create such a wide gap between the American vs. European way of living that assuming a European model will automatically fly here is very naive. Oh, and if you love giving more than 40% of your paycheck (that you no doubt work very hard for) to support the infrastructure of a giant, bloated government then by all means, feel free to join your European brethren - in Europe! But for Seattle and the Puget Sound region, it might not work out so well. And last I checked we still lived in America the land of democracy and freedom – not a communist or socialist society. And for everyone who's saying "well, people need to modify their behavior," they do - however, you attract more bees with honey than vinegar. Create an incentive system, not a system built on punishment and distrust. For those who say, "It's just 20 cents a bag! Who cares?" a) it's the principle behind this sham of a law and b) I happen to care about the working poor in our communities. Between paying over $4/gallon for gas, skyrocketing food prices, and stagnating wages, this is just one more stake to drive into the wallets of the middle class, families, and working poor.

Seattle is really driving away its tax base because people are leaving for the suburbs due to all of the stupid taxes under the pretense of "going green" (now just a marketing buzz phrase). Well, now that's not fair of me... after all, Seattle leadership DID want to subsidize a bunch of millionaire basket ball players with public money (not a "green" cause). Now then, Mayor Nichols, what's 40% of nothing? VOTE THE CURRENT SEATTLE "LEADERSHIP" OUT!

Oh, and here's an idea: After this ban goes into effect, go to your favorite Seattle grocer, buy 2 weeks worth of groceries, and tell them you're not paying for a single bag. Then inform them that you're gonna need help out to your car!

Wingnuts, your overreaction speaks volumes.

It's the economic perception that's causing the problem here. Previously, there was no charge for bags. Now, there will be. Cue indignation! Never mind the fact that others who don't use ANY bags have been subsidizing your shopping for years.

Oh, and Dino- I think the ire is affecting your thought processes. This is really "driving away its tax base" and "people are leaving for the suburbs"??? What city are you living in?? Apparently not the same Seattle where construction is booming and housing prices are defying national trends.

Welcome to QFC.....

Will that be 10 cents/per or 20 cents/per today Mr. Nobody !!!!

Dino, I think your concept of European life is rooted in old Cartier-Bresson photographs. The Euros I know live in the 'burbs, and drive to shop at supermarkets (and even big-box stores) like we do. Since gas costs twice as much as here, they stock up on a week's worth of groceries at a time. What possible difference does the distance you drive to the store have to do with the tpes of bags you use? If you have a problem paying the bag tax, pick up some re-useable bags---they'll pay for themselves after a few trips. Even the real Dino can do the math on that one.

Well, you got what you wanted. Enjoy your tax because that's what it is. And you guys above are really missing the point. I didn't say I'm anti-reusable bags. I use cloth bags, and when I do get the "dispoable" plastic or paper bags, I take them home and re-use them. What I am against is taxing people in the name of the church of the environment and using tactics that punish and strip freedoms in order to affect change. I will continue to use my cloth bags when I shop, but not in a place where I'm FORCED to do so. It's the principle of the matter. That's the spirit of my previous messages.

I sincerely apologize to all of the hard-working grocers and restauranteurs in the city of Seattle, but after Jan 1, 2009 you can no longer expect my business. No doubt many of our beloved mom and pop grocers and restaurants will go out of business due to the arrogance of the Seattle City Council. Be sure to thank them when you're giving your house over to the bank because you can no longer make your small business loan due to the current political climate in Seattle. You can also thank the lemmings above who support your demise by supporting this tax. R.I.P - you will be missed.

I got my reusable bags, even had manly stuff embroidered on the side of them (Bass, Elk). No more plastic bag full of plastic bags under my sink.

Buh bye, Dino. Have fun driving up to Shoreline or down to Renton to go shopping at $4.25/gallon.

This whole "issue" is a tempest in a teapot. Gas has doubled in the last year, inflation is back on the rise, and prices on everything are going up. 20 cents a bag is the least of our worries.

I guess I'm confused as to how this is going to eliminate plastic bags. I use the plastic bags I get at the grocery store for garbage bags. I recycle everything I can possibly recycle. And you know what, this is going to force me to either pay $0.20 a bag for the grocery bags or buy plastic bags for my garbage? This isn't elimiating plastic bags, but it is making the plastic bag manufacturers a little richer and that's really all this country is about, more money, even lofty minded Seattle. It seems to me that not much forethought was put into this other than our politicians believe it would make them look good. My grocer said that Seattle is setting an example for the rest of the country. Just like we did with the mono-rail. Love how that turned out. I work on the Eastside. Guess I'll be buying my groceries there more often.

Hey, you’re the goto epxret. Thanks for hanging out here.

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