ConservingNow Community Change

Fairbanks, Alaska is trying a different approach to get residents recycling their plastic bags.  They are proposing that retailers charge customers for their plastic bags, but then the city is also proposing to pay residents for their recycling.  This seems like an interesting approach and we will continue to watching to see what residents think of the program.

"Fairbanks officials are taking a carrot-and-stick approach to boost recycling in the city.  On the carrot side, Mayor Jim Whitaker and Borough Assembly member Mike Musick have put forth a plan to pay people or groups who recycle paper, plastics, glass and other materials before it reaches the landfill.  As for the stick, assembly member Nadine Winters wants to charge large chain stores a nickel for each disposable plastic bag given to customers. The money would fund recycling programs.

'At the end of the day, recycling programs have never penciled out up here,' Winter said, noting the city's remote location and relatively small population.  Companies would need to submit reports showing that they are indeed charging for throw-away plastic bags. They would also be required to list disposable plastic bags as a separate line item on receipts."

For more information:
http://www.newsday.com/bag-tax-proposed-to-fight-fairbanks-trash-1.1384932