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The real issue here is how do you keep plastic bags from littering the streets and out of our landfills. Levying a tax on plastic bags will do next to nothing to address this problem. It only takes money out of the hands of consumers and retailers, while endangering the jobs of the workers who manufacture them.

Instead of adopting a policy that penalizes retailers and consumers for using plastic bags the state of Connecticut should adopt policies that encourage people to find ways to reuse their plastic bags and that rewards people and businesses for finding new ways to recycle and reuse them.

There are many everyday uses plastic bags are just perfect for. Tying up dirty diapers so they don't stink up the trash, as cover for plants to protect them from frost, and of course as bags to carry everything from fruit for a picnic or wet clothes home from the beach. Homemade pillow stuffing and as packing filler to protect items for shipping are just a couple of uses for plastic bags that are no longer in the condition to be used as bags.

One major problem with plastic bag recycling is there's no financial incentive for consumers or businesses to recycle. Proponents of a tax would argue that a tax would provide just such an incentive. I say the tax is a penalty and a penalty is not encouragement to do anything. Instead of penalizing people and businesses for not recycling we should reward those who do.

Providing green tax credits to businesses that collect and reuse or recycle plastic bags would produce a number of solutions to the problem. Retailers could be encouraged to give customers store credit for the every plastic bag their customers bring in. Manufactures might find ways to use recycled bags when making their products. If they a way see it can be profitable they will make a concerted effort to collect these bags and reuse them. Tax credits to retailers that don't use plastic bags, is another option that

Lots of responsible people already reuse their plastic bags in their everyday lives. Their kitchen cupboards are filled with them and they would be lost without the plastic bags that come with their groceries. The manufacture of bags provides thousands of jobs, and if we encourage them companies will help to find ways too address the disposal problem. Businesses and individuals have shown time and time again that if you make something profitable they are eager to do it.

If the Connecticut legislature is really committed to keeping plastic bags off streets and out of landfills a policy that rewards people for recycling helps idividuals, businesses and the enviornment. While a policy that imposes a tax on plastic bags only serves to fill the state's coffers at the expense of citizens and taxpayers.

Learn more about this author, Robert Hamm.
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