ReusableBags.com today offers its opinion about Dallas's decision last week not to tax or ban plastic bags. Which is:
Dallas would have joined the likes of Ireland in passing a bag fee -- the most successful government initiative to overconsumption of plastic and paper bags. As in Seattle, industry interests are effectively squashing the issue with misinformation and money, and legislators aren’t fighting back – whether because of a lack of resources or simply feeling overpowered. They’re missing out: Ireland's PlasTax cut plastic bag consumption by 90% and generated $9.6 million in its first year alone, earmarked to improve the environment. Talk about a win-win (or in this case, a lose-lose).Which is why I am totally picking up one of these. --Robert Wilonsky