Comments on: Question: Why would a firm voluntarily tax its own customers?

By: Jeff Ye

Jeff Ye — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:09:32 +0000

What a beautiful concept. A large-scale company actually caring about the world we all live in, it brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. Anyway, i congratulate M&S for their success at helping our mother nature, and i can only hope that other greedier companies follow suit.

By: kxc.024

kxc.024 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:17:22 +0000

This is great! I really think that just because they’re starting to charge for plastic bags, that doesn’t their business will be affected. Especially since M&S is a large corporation that most people know about, if they implement this measure successfully, then other firms might follow and soon, plastic bags will become something you use as a last resort!

By: yunqimok

yunqimok — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:10:15 +0000

This is excellent!! After all, if ALL businesses started taxing for plastic bags, then people would have no choice but to become more environmentally friendly.

By: jenniferchoi

jenniferchoi — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:13:26 +0000

We have the same policy in Korea for the use of plastic bags in grocery stores. I think this is a really good policy becuase it certainly makes customors to use less plastic bags and save environment.

By: Taryn

Taryn — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:30:52 +0000

That is pretty nifty. I am guessing somehow the tax will not harm the “grocery” company or it will not deplete the amount of costumers, so it is a win win situation. Ideally I am guessing this plan does not harm the company in profits, it benefits an environment charity and it helps the environment. In a way they are making it more expensive to “pollute” and use “harmful things that harm the environment.” I like it. We should do it more often, but I consider myself somewhat of an environmentalist.

By: caleb

caleb — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:16:06 +0000

This strategy is great move for the environment and retaining valuable resources that could be used in other parts of the economy or for future use. 7-11 has a similar strategy in taiwan. You must pay for a bag.

By: Hansen

Hansen — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:05:50 +0000

Yes indeed this is an economically and socially sound move. As for personal experiences, many shops are now also offering substitutes for the plastic bags with reusable shopping bags created from recycled things. Also, I’ve seen a lot of these bags come from WWF with each purchase of a reusable bag, you donate a certain % of that purchase to the WWF. All the better huh?

By: Cassy Chang

Cassy Chang — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:35:55 +0000

This reminds me of the paper cup project that roots and shoots introduced. At first, people thought it was totally unnecessary and a hassle, but now, bring bottles is a habit. In Taipei, people bring their own bags to go shopping. Charging for plastic bags definitely forces people to bring their own, which will eventually become a habit!

By: Kai Lin Fu

Kai Lin Fu — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:52:30 +0000

Woot! Finally, an real action towards improving our environment. And according to the DailyGreen the China State Counsel has putforth a nationwide ban on plastic bags! Because of the ban China’s largest plastic bag manufacturer, Suiping Huaqiang Plastic,has closed down!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:22:17 +0000

YAY for Marks and Spencers! As Annie said, convenience stores in Taiwan charge for plastic bags as well, and I have actually noticed a decrease in the amount of bags. People don’t actually NEED these bags when they simply buy a bag of chips or a soda. We simply take it because the stores offer them to us. I approve of M&S taxing people because it helps the environment, but if they taxed their customers for their own benefit…well, that’s a whole other story. And Elaine…what a random post LOL.

By: Jonathan Lau

Jonathan Lau — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 10:20:38 +0000

Nicee this is a perfect example of eliminating a negative externality by taxing the product that causes it. Not only will the environment be cleaner from the decrease in plastic bag use, but the money that is made from the few that are purchased will go to an environmental charity. Win-win situation

By: ElaineLung

ElaineLung — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:26:15 +0000

Oh Britain, the things you do to make life in you so appealing. Men with attractive accents, lovely architecture, free health care. And now, big environmentally-friendly companies?

Man, and it’s even better that you guys have a low cost of living, fantastic weather, no waiting lines for healthcare, and low taxes!
…Oh wait.

Seriously though, I applaud Marks and Spencer.
And I still think a lot of accents in the UK are hot.

By: kevinma

kevinma — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 07:01:31 +0000

I agree that Mark and Spencer came up with a very good plan to cut the uses of plastic bags. I have read in the past about how Mark and Spencer is a very socially responsible company. This is just another example to how try to make the world a better place, by cutting the use of something that is environmentally damaging. A store in gubei also charges you for plastic bags, it is an organic store owned by a taiwanese guy. However, whenever i am there, it appears that the consumers don’t mind paying extra for the bag.

By: Annie Sung

Annie Sung — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:30:09 +0000

In the past year, lots of supermarkets and shops in Taiwan have also been implementing a similar measure. The fact that people have to pay for a flimsy plastic bag is a good way of driving them away from using these bags, unless you really, really need them. (E.g. toilet paper goes on sale and you buy ‘em all, just in case) Although I still occasionally come across some self-conscious women willing to pay 1 coin rather than put their shampoo in their handbags, this measure has been effective, and promotes the idea of investing in inexpensive, re-usable totes.

By: Dana Y

Dana Y — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:06:51 +0000

I agree with everybody that Marks & Spencer has implemented a great measure. Taxing plastic bags to consumers not only removes negative externalities, it’s also environmentally friendly. Think how much resources could be saved if all shops employed this measure!