We’ve seen it all: proposed bans, fees and incentives to curb plastic bag usage. But one year after New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo created a specialized task force, we still haven’t seen action.

Last February, Cuomo blocked a New York City law that would have put a 5-cent fee on all carryout bags at stores. Cuomo then vowed to take “bold action” and created a state Plastic Bag Task Force. The team recently released a report on eight potential policy packages to reduce production and consumption of plastic bags.

New York state already has a program in place to educate consumers about alternatives to plastic bag use, but this report is another reminder that Cuomo is dragging his feet on an important measure.

Sarah Pralle, an associate professor of political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, said consumers will need a stronger incentive to give up plastic bags than education alone can provide.

“Using plastic bags is far too convenient. We need policies that discourage consumers from using plastic bags and that encourage them to bring their own bags,” she said.

Evidence from countries around the world supports Pralle’s statement. Bans, fees and incentive programs are far more effective than education alone at getting consumers to reduce plastic bag use. Economists and other experts are watching places like California and Washington, D.C. In almost all cases, fees and bans have reduced bag use more than incentive programs.

California’s hybrid legislation combining a fee and a ban has reduced plastic bag litter by an astounding 72 percent, per Californians Against Waste. Based on the success of California’s program, a fee or ban would be the most efficient way to curtail plastic bag use in New York state.

It’s true bans and fees may have some unwanted side effects, including additional costs for consumers.

“Fees hit the poor harder than middle-class and wealthy people,” Pralle said.

This was a concern included in the report conducted by New York’s taskforce, and it’s one that must be addressed to ensure any upcoming legislation balances positive effects on the environment with equity for New Yorkers.

Pralle recommends making reusable bags free to consumers, especially low-income people. This idea makes sense. And while there may be an initial expense of providing consumers with reusable bags, this cost would decline as people adjusted. The environmental cost of plastic bag use also would drop, and that’s the real goal.

Until then, we’ll have to hope and vote for a choice that motivates consumers and politicians to put down the plastic and protect the environment before their personal convenience.

Maizy Ludden is a senior biology major. Her column appears biweekly. You can reach her at mtludden@syr.edu.

Published on February 20, 2018 at 10:10 pm