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Environmental Watch
Paper or Plastic? Seattle Mayor Nickels' Bag Tax
By
Brandon Houskeeper, Policy Analyst
, August, 2008The City of Seattle recently authorized a bag tax in an attempt to reduce Seattleites use of paper and plastic disposable bags. Why? Because according to city officials, disposable bags are harmful to the environment. This policy decision is based on disputed science that will, at best, levy an additional tax burden on Seattle area shoppers and businesses.