With Gov. Jared Polis’ signature last summer, Colorado became the 10th state to ban single-use plastic shopping bags in certain stores and the eighth to ban foam food containers.
SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Backed by a new state law, Boulder is reworking its disposable bag fee program and considering other measures related to eliminating the use of single-use plastics. The Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, signed into law last summer, phases out single-use plastic bags, polystyrene cups and containers and reverses a law that prohibits municipalities from passing individual ordinances to address plastic waste.
With the statewide disposable bag fee set to take effect at the start of 2023 and the other measures being phased in the following year, Boulder climate staff are beginning to plan for the effects of the law on the city. In an Aug. 18 meeting, climate staff recommended increasing the citywide disposable bag fee, which has been in effect in Boulder for nearly a decade, to 20 cents per bag at all retail stores in the city and phasing in small stores that are not currently participating in the program.
With Gov. Jared Polis’ signature last summer, Colorado became the 10th state to ban single-use plastic shopping bags in certain stores and the eighth to ban foam food containers. The statewide change has long been advocated for by Boulder staff and Boulder-based recycling nonprofit Eco-Cycle, both of which recognize the extent of the plastic problem in the country.
Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com
