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Bloomberg Calls For Plastic Bag Fee in NYC

6¢ charge pleases greenies, would help city's fiscal problems

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 7, 2008 11:37 AM CST

(Newser) – After an ad campaign urging New Yorkers to use greener alternatives to plastic shopping bags, Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to impose a 6¢-per-bag charge, the Times reports. While environmentalists approve, and the city’s coffers stand to gain, many think the measure will be unpopular with shoppers, and critics say the charge will hurt those who can least afford to pay.

City officials estimate the plastic surcharge will bring in $16 million per year, though a similar measure in Ireland cut plastic-bag use by 94%. The city council must still approve the fee, which comes at a time of rising taxes and general Big Apple belt-tightening. “We’re paying taxes on everything else,” one East Harlem resident sighed. “Why not bags, right?”

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Tracy Conrad hauls shopping bags during a visit to San Francisco’s Union Square on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. The city has since enacted a ban on plastic shopping bags, and other cities may soon follow. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Plastic bags are seen littered among other items at a market in Beijing, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Environmental friendly Eco Easy shopping bag made from recycled material on display for sale at Staples. Many retailers are offering such bags, and some give rebates for using them. (AP Photo)

City officials think the fee on plastic bags could both discourage their use and bring in up to $16 million for the city. Opponents call it a regressive tax that will burden the poor. (AP Photo)

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They ask us for plastic bags for free as it is. When we say no, they curse us out. They demand a bag for a 25-cent bag of chips. - Deli owner Sammy Ali, explaining why New Yorkers will never go for a bag charge

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Bloomberg Calls For Plastic Bag Fee in NYC