The High Cost Of Pink Plastic: Why Blue Is Cheaper

There are many products that are priced differently according to gender, with women's products often being more expensive. This phenomenon is known as the 'pink tax'. For example, a pink plush bear costs 8 cents more than a blue one, and a pink scooter costs more than a blue one. This is because pink is a more expensive colour to produce, as it requires a lot of pigment to overwhelm the basic colour of the plastic.

Blue plastic is cheaper than pink because it requires less pigment

The price difference between blue and pink plastic can be seen in products such as scooters and deodorant canisters. In one instance, a blue Spiderman scooter for boys cost P459, while a pink Hello Kitty scooter of the same brand and manufacturer cost P520. Similarly, shaving gel in a blue canister cost €2.39, while the same product in a pink canister cost €2.87.

These price differences are not limited to plastic products. A study by the California state government found that American women pay on average $1,300 more than men every year for identical products. This phenomenon, known as the "pink tax", has also been observed in France, where women's haircuts are priced higher than men's.

Pink scooters are more expensive than blue scooters

There is no direct evidence to suggest that blue plastic is cheaper than pink plastic. However, there is some evidence to suggest that pink products are more expensive than blue products. For example, in France, a pink plush bear costs 8 cents more than its blue counterpart. In the Philippines, a blue Spiderman scooter costs P459, while a pink Hello Kitty scooter of the same brand and manufacturer costs P520. This is likely because pink is a bright colour that requires a lot of pigment to produce.

Pink deodorant is more expensive than blue deodorant

It is a fact that pink products are often more expensive than blue ones. This is not just true of deodorant but also of scooters, toys, haircuts, shaving gel, and roll-on deodorant. In France, the activist group Georgette Sand is encouraging contributions to a photo blog of products priced differently according to gender. The group took its cue from a California state government study that found American women on average pay $1,300 more than men every year for identical products.

The reason for the price difference is that making a product bright pink requires a lot of pigment, especially if the natural colour of the material is dark. This is true of blue products as well, but blue is less commonly used for products marketed at women, who are often charged more for the same items.

Pink shaving gel is more expensive than blue shaving gel

It is a well-known fact that women's products are often more expensive than men's. This is known as the 'pink tax'. In France, an activist group called Georgette Sand is encouraging contributions to a photo blog of products priced differently according to gender. They found that American women pay on average $1,300 more than men every year for identical products. This includes things like painkillers, face lotion, and even pepper spray canisters.

A quick look by The Associated Press at haircut prices and store aisles in Paris found some disparities. For example, a woman's haircut costs 43 euros, while a man's haircut costs 26 euros. Shaving gel in a pink canister costs 2.87 euros, while the same product in a blue canister costs 2.39 euros.

The reason for the price difference between the pink and blue shaving gels is likely due to the cost of the pigments used to colour the plastic. Bright pink requires a lot of pigment, especially if the natural colour of the plastic is dark.

This price difference may seem small, but as Pascale Boistard, France's minister for women's rights, points out, "these disparities mean that by the end of the year, the sum is not negligible".

Pink toys are more expensive than blue toys

It is a common misconception that blue plastic is cheaper than pink plastic. In fact, the price of plastic is determined by the amount of pigment required to create a particular colour. Therefore, the cheapest colour of plastic is the natural colour, and the most expensive colours are those that require a lot of pigment to overwhelm the natural colour, such as bright white or bright pink.

Despite this, pink toys are often marketed towards girls and blue toys towards boys, and there is a gender pricing disparity in toys, with pink toys costing more than blue toys. For example, a blue Spiderman scooter for boys costs P459, while a pink Hello Kitty scooter of the same brand and manufacturer costs P520. Similarly, a pink plush bear costs 8 cents more than its blue counterpart. This pricing disparity is not limited to toys, with women's haircuts, deodorant, shaving gel, painkillers, face lotion, and pepper spray canisters all costing more than their male equivalents. This means that, on average, American women pay $1,300 more than men every year for identical products.

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