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Bans versus Fees: Disposable Carryout Bag Policies and Bag Usage

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  • Taylor, Rebecca
  • Villas-Boas, Sofia B.

Abstract

Using observational data on consumer carryout bag usage, we measure the effects of Disposable Bag Policies on bag demand. Our results show that plastic bag bans with paper bag fees eliminate use of disposable plastic bags and increase use of reusable bags. However, we find significant and undesired increases in paper bag demand. We compare our results to a study on bag fees and conclude the types of bags stores choose to sell in lieu of disposable plastic bags, as well as the price of alternatives, impact whether bans are more successful than fees in discouraging disposable bag demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Taylor, Rebecca & Villas-Boas, Sofia B., 2015. "Bans versus Fees: Disposable Carryout Bag Policies and Bag Usage," 2015 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 26-28, San Francisco, California 204783, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea15:204783
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.204783
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Tatiana A. Homonoff, 2013. "Can Small Incentives Have Large Effects? The Impact of Taxes versus Bonuses on Disposable Bag Use," Working Papers 1483, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
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    Cited by:

    1. Chenlu Ouyang & Huiqi Jiang & Qing Sheng & Guannan Liu & Minghui Jiang, 2022. "Tripartite Evolutionary Game Analysis for Plastic Pollution Prevention and Control under the Background of China’s Plastic Ban," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-22, February.
    2. Bishal Bharadwaj, 2016. "Plastic Bag Ban in Nepal: Enforcement and Effectiveness," Working Papers id:11548, eSocialSciences.

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    Keywords

    Consumer/Household Economics; Demand and Price Analysis; Public Economics; Resource /Energy Economics and Policy;
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