The Pullman Chamber of Commerce is opposed to a mandated fee for the use of plastic bags. Promoting the use of reusable bags, recycling or reusing plastic bags is a much better alternative. With food prices already high, instituting a fee like this would not be good for our local economy. Not only would this put an unnecessary burden on area residents (especially students), it would add to the cost of doing business for store owners. Business owners would have to monitor and administer the tax, adding to their work load and employee costs, all which could end up absorbed into increased cost to consumers.

We would suggest organizing an awareness campaign or offering convenient alternatives to plastic bags as a more favorable answer.