Seattle's 20 Cent 'Green Fee' on Shopping Bags

Ross Reynolds
07/07/2008 at 12:00 p.m.

Seattle Public Utilities estimates that on average every person in the city uses 485 plastic bags a year, and another 110 paper bags a year. The city proposes charging you 20 cents for disposable bags — paper or plastic — in most Seattle stores. The plan would start January 1. It would also ban those Styrofoam containers restaurants use for take–out food. Tomorrow night, the city council hears public comments on a plan. We want to hear what you have to say today. We'll find out how the city plans to enforce the plan, and why Styrofoam is being banned when other disposable products that are just as bad for the environment are not. Also today, The Future Of The Internet, And How To Stop It. Jonathan Zittrain thinks that the interconnectedness which makes the web great will also be its downfall, unless something is done.