The problem this petition is trying to solve is the indiscriminate use of plastic bags. Supermarket branded single use plastic bags are given for free to the shoppers. This makes it very convenient for the shoppers, as compared to taking one's own cloth/reusable bags. These plastic bags are very hard to recycle, therefore they are either incinerated (which causes greenhouse gas emissions) or end up in the ocean (which endangers marine life).  

The solution, $1 (USD) tax on every plastic bag, will act as a strong deterrent to supermarkets. If plastic bags start costing $1 (USD) per bag (due to the tax), supermarkets will find it immensely hard to hand them out freely. Therefore, they would quit giving plastic bags for free. Most likely, they would charge $1 (USD) per bag handed out.

One major reason this solution will prove useful is due to the fact that most cloth bags (at supermarkets generally), can cost as little as $0.80 (USD) per bag. Most people would prefer to buy a cloth bag rather than take plastic, because of the similar prices. That way, people will stop taking plastic and remember to bring their own bags.

Another positive impact of this solution is that sometimes these cloth bags are sewn by members in disadvantaged communities. By creating more demand for cloth bags, these communities will benefit greatly.