Mayor Bloomberg recently proposed that NYC begin charging shoppers 6 cents for each plastic bag issued at the register. The purpose of the policy is an attempt to make New York City more green. Bloomberg’s plan would join a number of cities including Ireland and Melbourne that have already actively chosen to reduce the use of plastic bags. The proposal is different from recent measures in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where plastic bags are being banned for certain uses, such as grocery shopping.Â
Bloomberg’s proposal will most likely stir some controversy, so it will provide store owners an incentive for compliance by giving out one of every 6 cents to the store owners. City officials estimate that the fee could generate $16 million a year.