France Debates Tax on Disposable Items
by Jennifer Berry
Published on September 15th, 2008
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According to msnbc.com, France is considering a new “picnic tax” on disposables. The proposed new taxes are meant to change both consumer and manufacturing habits regarding reusing and recycling.
Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, France’s ecology minister, said that the proposed tax would initially target disposable dishes and drinkware and then extend to other items such as disposable diapers, automobiles and homes. Kosciusko-Morizet said the tax would be determined based on the “recyclability” of the product, among other considerations.
Details of the tax will be worked into France’s 2009 budget, which will be presented at the end of September. Proponents say that the tax could force people to calculate the environmental cost of their waste, while some critics warn the tax could slow economic growth.
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