Plastic free resource center

To cut down on plastic carryout bags and polystyrene (often referred to as Styrofoam®), Colorado passed the Colorado’s Plastic Pollution law. The second phase of the law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024, affecting restaurants and food prep businesses using these products for food and beverages and their customers. The first phase has been in effect since Jan. 1, 2023, affecting both businesses and customers using single-use plastic carryout bags.

Phase 2: Effective Jan. 1, 2024
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, the state law bans the following:

• Foam polystyrene (often referred to as Styrofoam®) takeout containers and cups for ready-to-eat foods at all restaurants and schools.
• Single-use plastic carryout bags at large grocery, convenience and retail stores. Only paper bags are allowed with a charge to customers of a minimum of 10 cents per bag.

Phase 1: Effective Jan. 1, 2023

• Stores required to charge customers a 10-cent fee for each paper or plastic carryout bag at the point of sale.
• Stores include retail establishments where carryout bags are traditionally provided to customers, including but not limited to, grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, liquor stores, pharmacies, drug stores and clothing stores.
• Forty percent of the bag fee is retained by the store, and 60% of the fee must be remitted quarterly to the city.

Using reusable products to replace plastic avoids the creation of the packaging altogether, saves businesses and customers money and protects the environment.

Please click on the following buttons for additional information and resources for making this transition.