Plastic Pollution

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State and local leaders have prioritized plastic pollution in Colorado, and laws are now in place to reduce single-use plastics. The Fort Collins Disposable Bag Ordinance became effective May 1, 2022, banning plastic carryout bags at large grocery stores and charging a 10-cent fee for paper bags. The State of Colorado has passed the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, a multi-phased law to reduce plastic pollution.

The first phase of the state law started on January 1, 2023. Large retailers now charge shoppers a 10-cent fee for plastic and paper bags used at checkout and for pickup and delivery orders. It impacts large retail stores like home-improvement stores, department stores, clothing stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and more. The state law will not affect small stores with three or fewer Colorado locations that are not in a franchise or corporate partnership.

Bag fees do not apply to shoppers participating in state and federal food programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infant and Children (WIC).

On January 1, 2024, plastic bags will be banned from large retailers. Those stores will continue to offer paper bags for the 10-cent bag fee. In this phase, polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) food containers will be banned from restaurants, fast food chains, grocery stores, and convenience stores.

The State and City laws aim to discourage using single-use plastic items by charging fees and eventually banning them while providing an alternative like paper bags. Let’s make reusable the future by avoiding single-use plastics when possible that impact the health of our environment and community.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in the sidebar to learn more about the Fort Collins Disposable Bag Ordinance and the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act.



Prepare for the Change

Get ready for the state law now by creating your own Bag Plan! Reusable is the future. Make the shift to reusable bags today!

Sept 1: Get your bags – Most households need 5-10 bags. New and used reusable bags can be found at grocery stores, clothing stores, thrift stores or online marketplaces.

Step 2: Wash your bags – Reusable bags require regular cleaning.

Step 3: Stash them strategically - Place reusable bags in a convenient location like next to the door, in your car, bike trailer, purse, or backpack so you always have them when you need them.

Step 4: Get going - Use reusable bags each time you shop to get into the habit.

Step 5: Get creative - Already in the checkout line but forgot your bags? Put small purchases in a purse or backpack, or pack them back into your cart to transfer them to your car or bike trailer.

Already have your bag plan? Help your friends, family, and neighbors create a bag plan too!


Other Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution and Promote Reuse

  • Support Fort Collins businesses that are committed to reducing waste

  • Bring reusable spoons, forks, knives, containers, to-go mugs, water bottles, and bags wherever you go

  • Support the reuse economy by repairing items, sharing items with friends, family, and neighbors, and shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces selling used items.

  • Upcycle items in your home to give them an additional purpose, such as using a t-shirt you no longer wear to make a reusable bag (Tutorial in the sidebar).

  • Participate in tool or equipment sharing in your community for projects


Check out the resources tab for more ideas on reducing plastic pollution in your home, business, or community.

For Businesses

What to expect, how to remit fees, and more at fcgov.com/plastics-business-resources.

para ver este video en español, haz clic aquí

State and local leaders have prioritized plastic pollution in Colorado, and laws are now in place to reduce single-use plastics. The Fort Collins Disposable Bag Ordinance became effective May 1, 2022, banning plastic carryout bags at large grocery stores and charging a 10-cent fee for paper bags. The State of Colorado has passed the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, a multi-phased law to reduce plastic pollution.

The first phase of the state law started on January 1, 2023. Large retailers now charge shoppers a 10-cent fee for plastic and paper bags used at checkout and for pickup and delivery orders. It impacts large retail stores like home-improvement stores, department stores, clothing stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and more. The state law will not affect small stores with three or fewer Colorado locations that are not in a franchise or corporate partnership.

Bag fees do not apply to shoppers participating in state and federal food programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infant and Children (WIC).

On January 1, 2024, plastic bags will be banned from large retailers. Those stores will continue to offer paper bags for the 10-cent bag fee. In this phase, polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) food containers will be banned from restaurants, fast food chains, grocery stores, and convenience stores.

The State and City laws aim to discourage using single-use plastic items by charging fees and eventually banning them while providing an alternative like paper bags. Let’s make reusable the future by avoiding single-use plastics when possible that impact the health of our environment and community.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in the sidebar to learn more about the Fort Collins Disposable Bag Ordinance and the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act.



Prepare for the Change

Get ready for the state law now by creating your own Bag Plan! Reusable is the future. Make the shift to reusable bags today!

Sept 1: Get your bags – Most households need 5-10 bags. New and used reusable bags can be found at grocery stores, clothing stores, thrift stores or online marketplaces.

Step 2: Wash your bags – Reusable bags require regular cleaning.

Step 3: Stash them strategically - Place reusable bags in a convenient location like next to the door, in your car, bike trailer, purse, or backpack so you always have them when you need them.

Step 4: Get going - Use reusable bags each time you shop to get into the habit.

Step 5: Get creative - Already in the checkout line but forgot your bags? Put small purchases in a purse or backpack, or pack them back into your cart to transfer them to your car or bike trailer.

Already have your bag plan? Help your friends, family, and neighbors create a bag plan too!


Other Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution and Promote Reuse

  • Support Fort Collins businesses that are committed to reducing waste

  • Bring reusable spoons, forks, knives, containers, to-go mugs, water bottles, and bags wherever you go

  • Support the reuse economy by repairing items, sharing items with friends, family, and neighbors, and shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces selling used items.

  • Upcycle items in your home to give them an additional purpose, such as using a t-shirt you no longer wear to make a reusable bag (Tutorial in the sidebar).

  • Participate in tool or equipment sharing in your community for projects


Check out the resources tab for more ideas on reducing plastic pollution in your home, business, or community.

For Businesses

What to expect, how to remit fees, and more at fcgov.com/plastics-business-resources.

  • Share Your Thoughts On Plastics Policy

    Help City Council craft a plastic pollution prevention ordinance with your input. 


    City Council has identified plastic pollution as a priority for the community and is seeking community input for a plastics policy prior to an April ballot vote.   


    Plastic pollution impacts inland environments including Fort Collins. Not all plastic can be or is recycled and its lightweight nature means that on windy days it can be carried out of trash and recycling bins and into the environment, including our rivers. Single-use plastics such as plastic bags are widely used and easily break down into pieces too small to remove from the environment, which is especially problematic. The ordinance Council is considering would be a ban on plastic bags and a fee on paper bags at larger grocers beginning in 2022. Please take a moment to let us know your thoughts on this policy. 

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  • Comparta sus opiniones sobre la política de plásticos

    El Ayuntamiento  ha establecido que la contaminación del plástico es una prioridad para la comunidad y está obteniendo la opinión de la comunidad para desarrollar una normativa sobre plásticos antes de la votación de abril.   

     La contaminación por plásticos afecta al medio ambiente interior, como Fort Collins. No todo el plástico es reciclable o puede serlo, y debido a su poco peso puede volar de las papeleras y los contenedores de reciclaje llegando al entorno y nuestros ríos. Los plásticos de un solo uso, como las bolsas, se utilizan y se descomponen fácilmente en fragmentos demasiado pequeños para eliminarse del entorno, una problemática evidente. La ordenanza que el Ayuntamiento está considerando consitiría en prohibir las bolsas de plástico y aplicar una tasa a las bolsas de papel en las grandes tiendas de comestibles a partir de 2022. Por favor, denos su opinión sobre esta política. 

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Page last updated: 19 May 2023, 11:20 AM