Once again, the Richmond powers have chosen to monetize a problem instead of solve it. And, of course, it’s us, the consumers, whose pockets are rifled. 

So we pay 5 cents for a plastic bag, and the city and the store divvy it up between each other. Where in that process is the disincentive of the stores to stop using plastic bags? Nowhere.

The creation of the recycling industry did nothing to stop the creation of trash; it just put the onus on those who have little to no choice but to pay for it and drag it out to the curb at the end of the week.

To stop the use of plastic bags, make them illegal. That. Simple. It won’t make the city any money (directly), but it will actually clean up the city. Stop punishing us for industry’s callous carelessness with your own greed.

DION BURN

Richmond