Omar Khalid
The Memphis City Council has been debating a proposal to tax plastic bags, which has been delayed several times. The proposed tax would be 7 cents per bag, with 2 cents going to retailers as a handling fee and the remaining 5 cents going towards funding water improvement projects. The goal of the tax is to reduce plastic bag usage and generate revenue for the city, following the success of similar initiatives in Washington, DC, and Chicago. While some argue that the tax will disproportionately affect low-income shoppers, studies show that a small tax on plastic bags can effectively curb plastic pollution. The outcome of the vote remains to be seen, with potential implications for the environment and the behaviour of consumers and businesses in Memphis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tax amount | 7 cents per bag |
| Tax applicability | Disposable plastic bags |
| Tax purpose | To reduce the use of disposable plastic bags, change shoppers' behavior, and raise revenue |
| Tax jurisdiction | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Tax delay | Vote delayed in 2019 |
| Similar taxes | Washington, DC (5 cents), Arlington and Alexandria in Virginia (5 cents) |
| Tax effectiveness | Studies show a decrease in disposable bag use by over 40% with a similar tax |
| Tax impact | Potential cost to businesses and customers |
| Alternative approaches | Bans or restrictions on thin bags, incentives or bonuses for using reusable bags |
| Environmental impact | Reduction in plastic bag litter, entanglement of animals, and pollution in rivers and shorelines |
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What You'll Learn
The tax was delayed in 2019
In June 2019, a proposed tax on plastic bags in Memphis, Tennessee, was delayed. The tax had been on the verge of approval, but it was stalled, potentially due to a governor's ruling. The proposed tax would have been seven cents on plastic grocery bags, with five cents of the tax funding water improvement projects. Two cents would have gone to stores to offset the cost.
The idea behind the tax was to change shoppers' behaviour and reduce the use of disposable plastic bags, which are harmful to the environment. Several studies show that a typical grocery store would incur costs of $60,000 to $80,000 due to the tax, which would likely be passed on to customers. This led to some resistance from Memphis shoppers, who felt that the tax would disproportionately affect low-income families.
However, it is important to note that similar taxes have been effective in reducing plastic bag usage and pollution. For example, a 2017 study by New York University's Tatiana Homonoff found that a five-cent tax on plastic bags decreased disposable bag use by over 40%. Additionally, a 2025 analysis by the University of Delaware's School of Marine Science and Policy found that policies charging a small fee per bag or prohibiting them outright cut the share of bags found during shoreline cleanups by 25% to 47%.
While the plastic bag tax in Memphis was delayed in 2019, the city has continued to consider the potential benefits of such a tax. It is worth noting that other cities and states have implemented similar taxes or bans on plastic bags to address plastic pollution and encourage the use of reusable bags.
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The proposed tax was 7 cents
In November 2019, a proposed tax of 7 cents on plastic bags was up for debate by Memphis city leaders. The tax would disproportionately affect low-income shoppers, and some residents were concerned about the cumulative cost of the tax for large families. Two cents from each tax would go to stores to offset the cost, while five cents would fund water improvement projects. The proposed tax was delayed, but several studies have shown that small taxes on plastic bags can help curb plastic pollution.
The proposed tax aimed to change shoppers' behaviour and reduce the use of disposable plastic bags. Research has found that policies that charge a small fee per bag or prohibit them can reduce the number of plastic bags found during shoreline cleanups by 25 to 47 percent. A 2017 study by New York University's Tatiana Homonoff also found that a tax on disposable bags is more effective than offering a bonus for using a cloth bag. The study compared the effects of a five-cent tax on disposable bag use and a five-cent bonus for reusable bag use, and found that the tax decreased disposable bag use by over 40 percentage points, while the bonus had almost no effect.
The effectiveness of the tax in changing behaviour is due to the concept of "loss aversion," where people tend to care more when they stand to lose something, even compared to a gain of equal value. This means that a tax on plastic bags can be a powerful tool to discourage their use and encourage the adoption of reusable alternatives. While the proposed tax in Memphis was delayed, other cities and states have implemented similar measures to reduce plastic bag consumption and mitigate their environmental impact.
Some cities, like Washington, DC, have levied a bag tax, with shoppers paying a small fee for each disposable bag. The revenue generated from these taxes is often used to fund environmental initiatives, such as river clean-up efforts or providing reusable bags to low-income individuals. Additionally, some states have introduced legislation to regulate plastic bag use in stores, such as Arizona, Idaho, Missouri, New York, and Michigan. These measures reflect a growing recognition of the need to address plastic pollution and its harmful effects on the environment.
While the proposed tax in Memphis faced some delays and opposition, it is part of a broader movement to reduce plastic bag consumption and mitigate their environmental impact. Small taxes on plastic bags have been shown to be effective in changing consumer behaviour and reducing plastic pollution. By learning from the experiences of other cities and states, Memphis can inform its approach to addressing this issue and encourage the adoption of more sustainable alternatives.
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5 cents of the tax would fund water improvement projects
In 2019, the Memphis City Council considered implementing a seven-cent tax on plastic bags, with five cents of the tax designated for funding water improvement projects. The proposed tax aimed to discourage the use of single-use plastic bags, which contribute to pollution and impose financial costs on the city. While some residents expressed concerns about the potential financial burden of the tax, studies show that such taxes effectively reduce plastic bag pollution.
The tax on plastic bags in Memphis was proposed by Councilman Berlin Boyd, who sought to strike a balance between environmental protection and the continued use of plastic bags. Two cents of the seven-cent tax would go to stores to offset the cost, while the remaining five cents would fund water improvement projects. This allocation of the tax revenue aimed to address the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags, which contribute to clogged stormwater pipes, impaired streams, and overall pollution.
The proposed tax on plastic bags in Memphis is part of a growing trend of cities and states addressing plastic pollution through taxation or bans. Washington, DC, for example, implemented a five-cent tax on disposable bags in 2010, with the revenue contributing to the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund. Other places, like Arlington and Alexandria, have also introduced a five-cent tax on disposable plastic bags.
Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of small taxes on plastic bags in reducing pollution. A 2017 study by New York University's Tatiana Homonoff found that a five-cent tax on plastic bags decreased their use by over 40 percentage points, while a bonus for reusable bag use had little effect. Additionally, a 2025 analysis by the University of Delaware's School of Marine Science and Policy revealed that policies charging a small fee per bag or prohibiting them reduced the share of bags found during shoreline cleanups by 25 to 47 percent.
The proposed seven-cent tax on plastic bags in Memphis, with five cents allocated to water improvement projects, is a significant step towards addressing the environmental and financial impacts of single-use plastic bags. While there was initial support for the tax, it was delayed before being approved, indicating a need for further discussion and consideration. The allocation of tax revenue towards environmental initiatives demonstrates a commitment to improving water-related issues exacerbated by plastic pollution.
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The tax aims to reduce plastic bag use
In 2019, Memphis, Tennessee, considered implementing a tax on plastic bags. The proposed tax was seven cents per bag, with five cents funding water improvement projects. The goal of the tax was to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags, which are harmful to the environment. At the time, the tax was up for debate among city leaders, with some arguing that the money would be better spent on educating the public about litter and pollution. There was also concern about the impact of the tax on businesses and low-income shoppers. While the tax was initially delayed, it is unclear if it was ultimately passed or not.
The potential impact of the tax on low-income shoppers is a concern for some. One local official from Ann Arbor, Michigan, opposed the idea of taxing plastic bags, stating, "I don't tax poor people." To mitigate this concern, some jurisdictions that have implemented plastic bag taxes, such as Fairfax County, Virginia, use the revenue collected to provide reusable bags to those eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits. This helps to ensure that low-income individuals have access to reusable bags and are not disproportionately burdened by the tax.
In addition to reducing plastic bag use, the tax revenue can be used to fund environmental programs and services to further curb litter and pollution. For example, in Washington, DC, much of the revenue from their five-cent plastic bag tax goes to the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund. Similarly, in Memphis, two cents out of the proposed seven-cent tax would go to stores to offset the cost, while the remaining five cents would fund water improvement projects. By allocating the tax revenue towards environmental initiatives, the tax not only discourages plastic bag use but also actively contributes to improving the environment.
While the effectiveness of plastic bag taxes has been demonstrated in several studies, some places have opted for outright bans on plastic bags instead. As of 2025, numerous cities and states have banned plastic bags altogether. Additionally, some states have passed preemption laws that block cities and counties from regulating bags at all. In these cases, statewide policies become crucial in addressing the issue. It is important to note that plastic bag rules are just one part of a broader effort to reduce plastic pollution, and targeted rules for other single-use products may also be necessary.
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The tax could disproportionately affect low-income shoppers
The proposed tax on plastic bags in Memphis, Tennessee, has sparked debates about its potential impact on low-income shoppers. The tax, which would charge shoppers seven cents per plastic bag, aims to reduce plastic bag usage and generate revenue for water improvement projects. However, critics argue that this tax could disproportionately burden low-income individuals and families.
The argument against the tax is that it may unfairly target low-income shoppers who rely on plastic bags for their grocery needs. For families with limited financial resources, the cumulative cost of the tax can be significant, especially for larger households. A family of five, for instance, could end up paying 35 cents extra for their groceries if they use five plastic bags. Over time, these additional costs can add up, creating a financial strain on families who are already struggling to make ends meet.
Some Memphis residents have expressed their concerns about the potential financial burden of the tax. One resident was quoted as saying, "They're about to tax us to death. Try adding it up. When you have a large family and seven cents a bag, that's a lot." This sentiment reflects the worry that the tax will disproportionately affect those with lower incomes, as a small additional cost per bag can quickly escalate for larger families or those who shop in bulk.
While the intention behind the tax is to encourage the use of reusable bags and reduce plastic waste, critics argue that it may not be the most effective approach for low-income communities. They suggest that instead of imposing a financial penalty, the city should focus on educational initiatives and public awareness campaigns to promote recycling and reduce litter and pollution. This could include advocating for recycling and the importance of reducing plastic waste in schools and communities.
Furthermore, some critics argue that the tax may not address the root cause of plastic bag usage among low-income shoppers. For some, the convenience and accessibility of plastic bags are essential, especially for those who may not be able to afford reusable bags or have limited access to alternatives. Therefore, simply imposing a tax may not be enough to change shopping behaviours, and it could end up penalising those who are already economically disadvantaged.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the vote was delayed in 2019.
A 7-cent tax on plastic bags, with 5 cents funding water improvement projects.
The tax was proposed to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags and raise revenue for environmental programs.
Studies show that small taxes on plastic bags can reduce the number of bags found during shoreline cleanups by 25 to 47 percent.
Washington, DC, Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County, Virginia, have all implemented a 5-cent tax on disposable plastic bags.
