A multitude of solutions are needed and a levy on plastic bags at the point of sale is a part of that solution. Macro in Bali is an example of a store that uses minimal plastic bags as it imposes a Rp. 5,000 fee per bag. Customers shopping at Macro know this, and either come prepared with their own bag, or wheel their goods to the car a put them directly in the boot. It is rare to see a customer purchase a plastic bag at Macro.

The idea of introducing a 'user pays' system for plastic bags is not a new one, and it is a proven and effective system that really works, as opposed to a ban, which has dubious benefits. The idea is not to 'tax the poor' as suggested, but more to generate consumer awareness and then responsibility over our consumption habits.

Replacing an environmentally unfriendly single-use plastic bag with a biodegradable single-use plastic bag will not change consumer habits around waste. In both cases, generally the bag is still used once, then ends up in landfill. Educating consumers to bring their own bag and to say no to plastic bags is a positive long-term solution that will have a far-reaching impact on consumption patterns, and ultimately, the environment.

Hi Roland. Other than expressing anger at the 'easy solution' of taxing the public, I was hoping to convey that we should look for a better solution than just punishing consumers with more taxes. Hence, my suggestion at a "tax credit" for businesses who choose better alternatives to plastic bags.

However, i have no problem raising the 'Fines' for people who are improperly disposing of their trash as you describe. These people deserve a 'punishment' for what they do as opposed to the typical consumer.

I would hope that a group like Alex Ryan's would come up with a real solution such as finding sponsors for bio-degradable bags that can be sold to markets as part of an awareness of the problem while also promoting good business.

It is just too easy to "tax" and hope the problem goes away. It has never discouraged smoking, drinking, gambling and many other activities that proponents of these types of taxes promise.

Simon, one simple opening sentence and you've said it all! We have to begin by teaching our children, NOW!

Well you've got to start somewhere. The problem lies with treating the world as an infinite resource and an infinite garbage can. There's no great way of disposing of this stuff. You can bury it in landfill sites where it'll stay for a thousand plus years or burn the stuff as people do in Jakarta, releasing awful toxic, acrid smoke into the atmosphere. Many bags find their way to the sea where they get swept into the North Pacific Gyre which is full of literally billions of plastic bags. There they choke wildlife and break down into small pieces which enter the food chain. How hard can it be to bring a nice cloth shopping bag down to Hero with you?

Dear Billjayman - I have to disagree with your points strongly. The tax would be what can be called a "discouragement tax" to avoid customers taking every time new plastic bags home and instead use bags already at home, so there would be no impact on the poor.

In my opinion - the average Indonesian lives basically from the hand in its mouth and goes everyday to the local mini-market for the daily needs - and goes with at least 3 brand new flimsy plastic bags home. Count this by 365 days by 50 customers per mini-market. That becomes a huge number...

Also, the average citizen has absolutely no clue whatsoever when talking about environmental issues - except probably the ones affected by floods - but then again - I am sure when there is no flooding the same people still throw their garbage wherever they please. Unfortunately the city does NOT provide sufficient waste containers along the side walks and....if there would be, they would be surely vandalized and stolen within a few weeks.

I am sure that already now all shops, giving you per purchase dozen of plastic bags (basically for each single item - it is actually really annoying as the clerks do not seem to understand when one asks for less - but to no surprise as the usual bags are small and of a flimsy quality - BUT with the company logo!) are putting the expenses for these bags on the products purchased.

I used to live in Bali for quite an extended time and I watched many times that beach cleaning consisted of making a deep hole in the sand and throwing all the garbage collected in there - according to the motto "Out of Sight - Out of Mind".