Measuring the value of plastic and reusable grocery bags

Jarod Dunn, Arthur Caplan and Ryan Bosworth

Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, 2014, vol. 3, issue 2, 125-147

Abstract: Using data from an online survey of grocery store customers in Logan, Utah, we estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for continued use of plastic grocery bags, and willingness to accept (WTA) for switching to reusable grocery bags. We find evidence to suggest that, on average, individuals have a greater aversion to plastic-bag taxes than an affinity for reusable-bag subsidies. All else equal, older and lower-to-middle-income individuals, as well as larger-sized households, are more likely to switch to using reusable bags exclusively when faced with a tax on plastic bags. Lower-to-middle-income individuals, as well as women in general, are more likely to switch away from using plastic bags when provided with a subsidy for reusable bags. Our results help quantify the extent to which plastic-bag taxation and reusable-bag subsidisation might induce shoppers to switch from plastic to reusable bags for their grocery trips.

Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1080/21606544.2013.870052

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