“Follow the science” became a familiar refrain in recent years. Data over feelings. Evidence-based policy making.

But when Washington commissioned a study on its plastic bag ban and the science came back with inconvenient results, officials decided to disregard their own research.

Plastic bag fee increasing despite study findings

As reported in my commentary from two months ago, starting next month, the fee for thick reusable plastic bags will increase from eight cents to 12 cents. Factor in sales tax, and consumers will actually pay 13 cents per bag.

This fee increase comes despite a Washington State University (WSU) study commissioned by the state that found the current policy may be making plastic waste worse, not better.

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