Statewide Ban on Plastic Grocery Bags Takes Effect
If you’re not in the habit of bringing your own reusable grocery bags to the store, you might want to make a mental note or set a reminder for yourself. On January 1, 2023, many grocery establishments throughout the state began implementing a 10-cent fee for each bag used to package up your purchase.
In 2021, the state legislature enacted the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, House Bill 21-1162, which prohibits stores and retail food establishments from providing single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene to-go food containers to customers. Certain retail food businesses and small stores that operate solely in Colorado are exempt and may continue to use single-use plastic bags.
Other exceptions include the following:
- Bags for packaging loose or bulk items such as produce or animal feed
- Packaging of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, or dietary supplements or any equipment or materials used to manufacture pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, or dietary supplements
- Restaurants and stores with three or fewer locations solely located in Colorado are exempt from participating
- Customers that show proof of participation in a federal or state food assistance program are exempt from paying the fee
You may notice that the new statewide rule isn’t immediately implemented at your favorite retailers. That’s because local businesses have until January 1, 2024, to fully adopt the new program and begin collecting the bag fee. Shoppers can avoid paying the 10-cent bag fee by bring their own reusable bags instead.
Information for Retailers
If you own a business in the City of Salida and have questions about the new statewide initiative, visit our website at www.cityofsalida.com/clerk/page/bag-fee to determine whether your store must comply with the new bag fee and for instructions on how to properly remit bag fee revenue to the City.
