English

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Muammer Akgun

Prof. Hornyak

ESL51-42YA

Summary-Response Essay Draft 1

10/10/2021

5- CENT PLASTIC BAG TAX

Plastic is one of the most widely used materials on Earth, and it is used in almost every

aspect of our daily lives. The life span of a plastic bag is never-ending; these thin bags are rarely

recycled and are mostly blown into storm drains and rivers clogging the landfills. Most plastic

produced is used for single-use purposes, and once it is used for a few minutes, it can't be

discarded and stays on the surface of Earth for many years, polluting the environment. Most

single-use plastics include plastic bags, bottles, and containers used for only 15 minutes and then

wasted on the ground. Yes, I will support the text on single plastic usage.

To combat this growing and alarming issue of plastic pollution, a tax on single-use plastic

shopping bags should be imposed because single-use plastic shopping bags are the most

abundant form of plastic. Every state should do its part to fight plastic pollution. This tax will

charge a 5-cent plastic bag fee. This study explores why taxation should be implemented on

single-use plastic bags.

The unsustainable consumption of plastic materials can be reduced by implementing

taxes on some plastics with specific uses. Due to their low price, single-use plastic bags have

high demand, and by implementing a tax on these plastic bags, the costs of these single-use

plastic bags can be increased. Hence, their order can be substantially decreased, and people will

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look for alternatives to plastic shopping bags. Well-designed taxes demand more durable and

more sustainable options such as paper bags, cotton bags, canvas bags, and basket bags.

Moreover, many cities and states have adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags to fight

the widespread damage caused by single-use plastic bags. Still, studies have shown that

implementing tax is a far better option than a complete ban on single-use plastic. Putting a total

ban on plastic shopping bags may have some unforeseen consequences that include increasing

paper bag sales. Similarly, New York saw a drastic increase in the demand for paper bags after

the ban on single-use plastic bags. According to an estimate, retailers will need roughly 3 to 4

billion paper bags to meet the need of the consumers. Plastic bag taxes will prompt the shoppers

to bring their bags from home or not use a bag at all. On the other hand, plastic bag taxes have

proved to be more effective than plastic bag bans to curb plastic pollution. Therefore, taxes on

single-use plastic bags will decrease the demand for plastic bags, and hence, their production.

It is concluded that taxes on plastic bags can help reduce single-use plastic pollution as

they significantly impact consumer behavior. Comparatively, it takes little time for shoppers to

adjust and adapt to the tax. To reduce plastic pollution, each state or city should impose a 5-cent

plastic bag tax, and every state or city should be given the freedom to either increase this tax or

implement a total plastic bag ban. According to studies, in 2050, the weight of plastic in the

ocean will be more than that of fish. This creates an alarming situation and calls for the federal

government to reduce the amount of plastic produced and used to create a cleaner and healthier

Earth.