Is Tax The Answer?

[youngmafbog]

Genuine question, I am unsure as usually I am against using tax instead of persuasion but is this plastic issue one of the times that it may work better?

Personally I would (also) like to see the amount of recycled plastic cleary labelled together with a clear indication of how recyclable the packaging is. I could then avoid the product.

And it still wont really address things like all that plastic for fruit and veg - Grrrr

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7021479/Britain-worlds-plastic-tax-products-30-cent-recycled-material.html

[Old_Geezer]

If tax is ever the answer it must've been a darn fool question.

[Rockrose]

A lot of products wrapped in plastic does not need to be - it could be wrapped in greaseproof of a paper bag

[ludwig]

It'll help.

// I am against using tax instead of persuasion //

Persuasion doesn't work on it's own. If we'd have relied on it to reduce drink driving, smoking in public, wearing seat belts and crash helmets that stuff either wouldn't have happened or would have taken way too long.

Exactly the same as why we need a lot more than education to tackle knife crime.

[Old_Geezer]

I doubt taxing knife crime would work either.

[ludwig]

// I doubt taxing knife crime would work either. //

My point is that you need both carrot and stick to tackle these issues. Maybe you were clever enough to see that but wanted to make a joke. I've told you because I'm not sure.

[ToraToraTora]

most of the stuff I buy in plastic packaging would be fine in paper/cardboard, I assume that the reasons it is not is cost/existing production lines etc, so yes I think taxation would encourage the switch.

[woofgang]

Well a clear indication of how recyclable the packaging is does appear on....well gonna say most of the stuff I buy. If there is a levy, then I'd like to know what it is going to be used for and I would like there to be an option not to pay it. I don't see why I should be forced to fork out more for a product when I have little or no choice over whether I buy it and the money doesn't go anywhere relevant. I believe that very little food grade plastic can be made from recycled materials.

[david small]

Why don’t we charge VAT on council tax while we’re at it. The amount of tax that I and my family have paid would buy a large house in London. Feed the population of Tamworth for a month or fund the Brexit part which I would rather do.

[dunnitall]

Surely the right answer would be to STOP manufacturers using plastics when there's no need for it. If they stopped then the public can't buy it...simples?

It's like sugar, fat and chemicals in our food. Why? If they didn't use too much of these things we couldn't buy them. Who is encouraging or making producers use things that aren't good for us or the environment?

Crazy stuff here....and it's not needed. Tax isn't the answer, laws are and should protect the people.....or do they care?

[ludwig]

//Who is encouraging or making producers use things that aren't good for us or the environment? //

It's all about money. Manufacturers will do that which is most profitable. If it starts becoming more profitable to be environmentally friendly, that's what they'll do, otherwise, they won't.

[youngmafbog]

I agree it's generally about profit, so if we made them put a great big label showing what the plastic is many would vote with their feet and not buy the product.

If you put a tax on then it will be the punters that pay even if they dont want to buy the plastic there will be no choice still.

[ludwig]

//..so if we made them put a great big label showing what the plastic is many would vote with their feet and not buy the product. //

Agreed, but why not also put the tax on to make the thing more expensive and even less attractive to buy than the other products. It doesn't have to be one thing or the other.