How Big Oil Misled the Public into Believing Plastic Would Be Recycled

Re:How Big Oil Misled the Public into Believing Plastic Woul... by realityking on Saturday September 12, 2020 @10:46AM (#24452859)

This is an argument that comes up often, e.g. gas tax should be used for roads.

The misconception is that it sees taxes only as a means of generating revenue to offset the cost or externalities of what’s being taxed.

But taxes are also important in steering behavior. In this case by forcing bags to To be non-free (and not allowing stores to compete by advertising free bags) it incentivizes folks to start bringing their own bag. The revenue is inconsequential.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How Big Oil Misled the Public into Believing Plastic Woul... by nemo44x on Saturday September 12, 2020 @02:08PM (#24454227)

Except for all the new little fees and taxes are being used to pay off pension debt, etc. I’d complain less if my local taxes were better being used to serve the community rather than pay a 50 year olds pension that moved off to a state without income tax. A pension that was agreed to by the crooked pols that got elected by the same public unions they had to “negotiate” with.

I agree about steering behavior and I think it should be used more often rather than bans on things.

[ Parent | on HN ]