Gentle nudge toward making ‘green’ choice

In theory, a “green” ethic isn’t a hard sell in these parts. A sense of environmental stewardship is stamped on the consciousness of people who have lived in the Northwest most of their lives, and it’s part of the draw for more recent arrivals.

In practice, sometimes we need a little nudge. Curbside recycling is a good example — most of us wanted to do the right thing by recycling paper, cardboard, aluminum and glass containers, etc. But until most of us were forced to pay for it, reality didn’t match those good intentions.

So we applaud Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin for last week’s proposal to charge consumers a 20-cent fee on disposable bags at grocery, drug and convenience store checkout stands, and to ban so-called styrofoam containers at food-service establishments. If the City Council goes along, Seattle would be the first U.S. city to adopt a bag fee, and among the first to ban foam food containers. If they prove effective, the rules should be considered statewide.

Disposable grocery bags, plastic and paper, are extremely hard on the environment. Their production, shipping and disposal cause significant air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and litter. Plastic bags that aren’t recycled pile up in landfills, along roadways or in local waters, and don’t break down over time. Paper bags carry their own, and in many ways higher, environmental costs. Reusable cloth bags are a viable alternative, and are growing in popularity.

Seattle is estimated to use 360 million disposable bags per year. That’s nearly 600 bags per person. Nickels and Conlin hope the green fee would reduce that use by at least 70 percent. In Ireland, such a fee reduced use by 90 percent, according to Seattle officials. We particularly like that this plan, by encouraging consumers to play an active role in reducing waste, creates a shared responsibility between consumers and retailers. Everyone does their part.

We also appreciate that part of the revenue raised would go to provide reusable bags to low-income households, easing their burden. Stores would keep 25 percent of the fee to cover administrative costs, and smaller operators, whose costs are usually higher, would keep the entire fee.

This is a sensible, fair, balanced solution to a serious and worsening problem. When practical, cost-effective alternatives to plastics are available, we’re confident that consumers will want to make the “green” choice.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 13

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

State single-payer health care bill offers many advantages

I was excited to read in Will Geschke’s report (“Everett lawmakers back… Continue reading

Important national story missing from Herald

I couldn’t find a report in The Herald that the Trump administration… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s ‘Man-of-Steel’ shtick will make U.S. weaker

Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum will harm allies we need and won’t help industries here.

Comment: AG Bondi’s DEI memo more messaging than lawsuit threat

Talk of criminal investigations is intended to panic corporations into abandoning their DEI programs.

Goldberg: Why Musk, Vance went to bat for self-desribed racist

While a former Trump official is on the outs for doing his job, a proud racist gets his job back.

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration
Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 12

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Welch: State Democrats’ bill would undermine parental rights

The bill would allow kids as young as 13 to make mental health decisions without notice to parents.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.