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Non Market Based Examples |
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Bangladesh
Bangladesh sufferes incredible problems from littering of plastic bags.
Plastic bags blocked drains and resulted in massive floods and major
loss of life. These problems are caused by a lack of infrastructure to
dispose of plastic bags properly. Bangladesh was using 9 million bags a
day and littered 85% of those. In March of 2002, a ban was established
on the manufacture or use of plastic bags. Anyone caught with a plastic
bag is faced with a $2,000 fine. This is brought plastic bag usage and
litter to a complete hault.
India
India also placed a ban on plastic bag use and manufacturing. India was
also suffering from deadly floods caused by plastic bag clogged storm
drains. India thought about implementing a tax on bags but deemed it
too dificult to collect it. India opted for the easier to enforce ban
on plastic bags. If a retailer is found using plastic bags it faces
large fines and even a one month ban on trading.
Taiwan
Taiwan was using 16 million shopping bags prior to the ban in 2001. The
ban was implemented in stages. The first stage was banning the use of
plastic bags in schools, the military, and other government agencies.
The second stage was banning plastic bag use in supermarkets, large
retailers and fast food. The third and final stage was banning plastic
bag use by street peddlers. Anyone caught giving out plastic bags faces
a fine of up to NT$300,000.
There has been a problem with Taiwan's approach. Taiwan has completely
ended plastic bag consumption; however, paper bag consumption is
growing. As you know by now, plastic bags are much better for the
environment than paper bags.
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Solutions