Monday, September 23

 
Now pending in Australia: Plastic-bag tax

Here's a corollary to the debate just beginning to surface in the United States about a junk-food tax. The Australian Parliament is set to begin debate a proposed levy on the use of plastic shopping bags -- or "carrier bags" as they're known in various parts of the world -- in an effort to cut down on nonbiodegradable waste. A similar tax in Ireland apparently did cut down on the number of bags that ended up at the dump. Okay, it's not totally food-related, but here's the inevitable result: What if the world's governments someday do impose a plastic-bag tax? And a junk-food tax? I'llhave to pay extra to take my Twinkies home in a plastic bag. Is it worth it?
posted by Unknown 12:15 PM