Washington Grocers Group Proposes Bag Tax Alternative

SEATTLE — While the City Council here explores a 20-cent-per-bag tax on disposable grocery bags, the Washington Food Industry (WFI) proposed that its grocer members here take several steps as an alternative to a tax. The WFI proposal would exempt retailers from the bag tax if they provide reusable bags for sale in a prominent location near checkout counters; offer at least a 5-cent-per-bag rebate to all customers who bring in reusable bags; have in-store recycling bins prominently located and signed within the store; and provide in-store education regarding the environmental benefits that can be obtained by switching to reusable bags. “The city of Seattle simply said ‘tax them,’ rather than counting on the intelligence and willingness of Seattle citizens to do the right thing,” said Jan Gee, WFI’s president and chief executive officer, in a statement.

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