PLASTIC BAGS — ROLE PLAY

Situation

The city is planning to introduce a ban on plastic bags. The mayor has invited various stakeholders to a meeting to give their point of view.

Roles

  • The Mayor (who will chair the meeting)
  • Representative of The Grocers Association
  • Representative of the Save The Plastic Bag campaign
  • Representative of Greenpeace, the environmental activist group.

Instructions

The Mayor should listen to the different opinions and give his/her final decision at the end of the meeting.

ROLE CARD – REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GROCERS ASSOCIATION

You are opposed to the idea of a ban on plastic bags since paper bags and biodegradable bags cost a lot more. You would have to pass most of this extra cost on to the customer. Customers are very “price sensitive” in the current economic climate. You are also against the idea of taxing plastic bags for the same reason.

ROLE CARD – THE MAYOR

Your city is considering whether to impose a tax on plastic bags or ban them outright. You have organised this meeting to hear the views of the various parties involved. You will be chairing the meeting. At the end of the meeting, inform those present at the meeting of your final decision. You have 3 options:

  • ban plastic bags
  • tax plastic bags
  • do nothing

ROLE CARD – GREENPEACE REPRESENTATIVE

You want a total ban on plastic bags. Plastic bags use up natural resources, contribute to greenhouse gases, clog up landfills, litter streets and streams, and kill wildlife. Paper bags are not much better—the best solution for the environment, and to save energy, is to use a reusable cloth bag to do your grocery shopping.

ROLE CARD – REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SAVE THE PLASTIC BAG CAMPAIGN

You are totally opposed to a ban or a tax on plastic bags for the following reasons:

  • Paper bags result in 3.3 times more greenhouse gases than plastic bags and require much more fuel to transport.
  • As a result of misinformation, many people believethatplastic bags "clog up" landfills. NOT TRUE. According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, plastic bags (including retail bags) use up only 0.4% of landfill space.
  • As a result of misinformation, many people believe thatplastic bags are not recyclable.NOT TRUE. Special plastic bag recycling bins have been installed in large supermarkets and retail stores throughout Californiasince 2007. Virtually all of the plastic bags deposited in those bins are actually recycled.