Last week I talked about changes to Baltimore’s trash and recycling programs, and encouraged the idea that the city has to hold up its end of the bargain with regards to what can be recycled.

The city is currently debating a 25 cent per bag tax on plastic bags.  There are apparently mixed emotions over this idea as well, with City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake opposed, along with several vocal business owners and residents.  Complaints over the logistics of charging people per bag, the tough economy already impacting shoppers bottom lines, and other issues were all brought up as reasons why the bag tax is counter-productive to the interests of businesses in the city.

But the fact of the matter is that just like vice taxes on tobacco products or alcohol, plastic bags are becoming an issue nationwide.  And there are easy alternatives.  For the most part, small shopping trips will fit quite easily into one or two reusable bags.  Many clothing stores already package their goods in paper bags, which the city collects in curbside recycling.  And for people like Rob Santoni of Santoni’s Supermarkets who raised issues with legislation on the table, take the opportunity to make your store the good guy, and give away reusable bags with every purchase over X amount for a week.  And make sure they say “Santoni’s” on them, and take it out of the advertising budget.

Is this an example of Big Government stepping in and limiting personal freedoms?  No, this is an example of good government recognizing that certain small conveniences are slowly adding up to large problems, and attempting to put a solution in place.  Sure, for those large shopping trips where you have 10 bags full of food, it’ll cost you an extra $2.50 on the $100 you’re already spending.  But the prices (non-metaphorical) that we’ll be paying to try and clean up all of the things we’re throwing away these days will add up to a lot more than that.