April 1, 2009
Phosphate Ban Spurs Rise in Smuggling
Spokane County, Washington banned the sale of dishwashing detergent that contains phosphates last July. Predictably, this ban has caused residents to resort to smuggling contraband Cascade and Electrosol from across the border in nearby Idaho.
As a result, there has been a quiet rush of Spokane-area shoppers heading east on Interstate 90 into Idaho in search of old-school suds.Real estate agent Patti Marcotte of Spokane stocks up on detergent at a Costco in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and doesn't care who knows it.
"Yes, I am a smuggler," she said. "I'm taking my chances because dirty dishes I cannot live with."
The Refugee has been unable to substantiate rumors of an emerging "phosphate cartel" and increased violence on the Idaho side of the border. When they outlaw phospates, only outlaws will have phosphates.
Economics and Markets Posted by Boulder Refugee at April 1, 2009 3:29 PM
I was going to post this with the question "Do I own my dishwasher or not?" I think we both need to get out more.
Posted by: jk at April 1, 2009 4:12 PMa friend of mine living in Spokane says the cops have been ticketting people for years bringing back liquor and cheap cigarettes from Idaho....
He didn't speak up because he didn't smoke.
He didn't speak up because he didn't drink (much).
Now he's speaking up, because he likes clean dishes.
Me? I'd switch to styrofoam plates... damn the landfills!
Posted by: AlexC at April 1, 2009 5:00 PM | What do you think? [2]