Why not simply “bury” the cost in the price of the paint?
For several reasons. First, because many national brands advertise their prices on a national basis. If they had to cover the cost of their fee simply by increasing that price, they would have differing prices in many provinces and have to print separate and costly brochures, or develop separate advertising, for individual jurisdictions. Second, this would open the door for abuse by some brand-owners, who could possibly claim that there is “no fee” associated with their products and that therefore they are “environmentally better” than their competitors. Third, this would open up competitive and “combines” issues, whereby a group of competitors are asked to take action together privately to raise the price of their products, something that is circumvented by the visible eco-fee concept. Fourth, a buried cost that is “marked up” at each stage in the supply chain is subject to taxation at each level and, ultimately, will be more expensive for the consumer. It is more appropriate and cost
