Earlier in the semester, I posted an article about charges for plastic bags in Britain. A 5 pence charge was introduced on plastic bags for most groceries and other purchased items, and there was concern over potential bag rage from people being annoyed at any inconvenience. ( http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/world/europe/plastic-bag-charge-england.html?ref=earth )

I recently stumbled across a related article about the impacts from such charges being implemented. In the first year after Scotland introduced a 5 pence charge for plastic bags, the number of plastic bags handed out decreased by 80%! This is the equivalent of about 650 million carriers, so that is an awesome decrease in usage! I was initially wary of how people might respond to such charges, but I am now filled with hope. I hope that this practice and this trend continues to expand, decreasing pollution and encouraging practical environmental resource conservation.

This massive reduction in plastic bags equates to 4000 tons of materials and 2500 tons of carbon dioxide saved in the past year. The charges that have been collected have gone to raise 6.7 million pounds for good causes. These key figured from the article illustrate the great scale of success in this endeavor to charge for plastic bags. Small changes on a grand scale can make a huge change. I hope to see Lafayette encourage more reusable materials, like bags at the school store, coffee cups, or food containers in the future!

Here is the article! http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-34575364