Breckenridge bag fee goes into effect Tuesday, Oct. 15
kfowler@summitdaily.com
REUSABLE BAG DAY PROCLAMATION
October 15, 2013
WHEREAS, the Town of Breckenridge is concerned about the long-term sustainability of our
community and desires to take steps to lessen the Town’s impacts on our environment; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, after an extensive public involvement process, the Town Council adopted
the SustainableBreck Plan as a guide to attaining a more sustainable community; and
WHEREAS, the SustainableBreck Plan identifies a number of sustainability initiatives that the
Town should undertake, including finding ways to reduce the use of disposable bags in the
community; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that three million disposable bags are handed out by retail and
grocery stores in Breckenridge on an annual basis and that some 2 billion disposable bags are
used annually in the state of Colorado; and
WHEREAS, the Breckenridge Town Council recently passed legislation that requires a fee to be
charged for most plastic and paper disposable bags given out at local retail stores and grocers
as a means of dissuading the use of disposable bags; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Breckenridge is actively marketing efforts for residents and guests to
use reusable bags when shopping; and
WHEREAS, a reusable “Breckenridge Bag” has been designed and is now available in select
retail stores and at the front desks of major lodging companies in Town; and
WHEREAS, the new disposable bag fee will take effect on October 15, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Breckenridge encourages all residents and visitors to use reusable
bags for shopping on October 15 and thereafter in an effort to do our small part to change the
world, one bag at a time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, I, Mayor John Warner do hereby proclaim
October 15, 2013 as “Reusable Bag Day” in Breckenridge, Colorado, and call upon all residents
and visitors of Breckenridge to join me in supporting the aims and goals of this effort.
Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 15, a fee of 10 cents per bag will be charged for most plastic and paper bags at all retail and grocery stores in Breckenridge.
The day has officially been declared “Reusable Bag Day” with a proclamation from Mayor John Warner.
Signs are in place at all retail outlets alerting customers of the fee. Wilson Lass developed the sign work, print ads and design of a reusable bag at no cost to the town. Tony Wilson worked on the artistic development of the bag, choosing to focus on the Riverwalk plaza area because it’s a town hub. Local artist Lisa Rivard created the design.
“We’re very psyched,” Wilson said. “Breck is a leader in this kind of recycling, reusable thing. We were honored to be picked to design the very first bag.”
The reusable “Breck Bag” is available for 99 cents at many retail and lodging locations, including the Breckenridge Recreation Center. Wilson said 50,000 bags were ordered and is looking forward to a series of bags in the future.
The full-color bag illustrates a different season in town on each side. The bag fee was supposed to go into place Oct. 1, but town council extended the start date in order to have more time to educate the public.
The town council adopted the fee in April to further the town’s sustainability efforts. Revenues from the fee are used to provide public information about the fee, and promote the use of reusable bags.
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