Dec. 10, 2012 - City announces community design contest for reusable shopping bags

Media Contacts:
Nick Grossman, Community Planning & Sustainability, 303-441-3005
Sarah Huntley, Media Relations, 303-441-3155
www.bouldercolorado.gov

City announces community design contest for reusable shopping bags

Community members are encouraged to participate in a contest to design reusable bag graphics that reflect the spirit of Boulder. Winning designs will be printed on reusable shopping bags to help promote community adoption and use. The City of Boulder will be using funds from a 10-cent fee on disposable checkout bags to provide the community with a limited number of reusable shopping bags that are made to withstand repeated use and are capable of carrying more weight than plastic or paper bags.

The contest is open to all ages and several winning designs may be chosen. The community can submit single-colored designs in JPEG format online at Inspire Boulder, the city’s digital town hall, by Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. Submissions may also be sent:

• by standard mail to: City of Boulder Local Environmental Action Division, Attn: Jamie Harkins P.O. Box 791 Boulder, CO 80306; or
• by email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In November 2012, City Council passed an ordinance requiring a 10-cent fee for both plastic and paper checkout bags at all grocery stores in Boulder. The disposable bag fee will not apply to restaurants, bulk or produce bags, newspaper bags, or any other kind of food packaging bags. The ordinance will become effective on July 1, 2013.

The 10-cent fee is intended to address the environmental issues associated with the use of disposable bags. The funds collected from the fee will help to offset the city’s mitigation costs, including education, administration, equipment replacement, and distribution of reusable bags to the community.

For more information about the community design contest or disposable bag fee, contact Sustainability Specialist This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 303-441-1846 or visit www.bouldercolorado.gov/LEAD/bags.

Last Updated on Friday, 28 December 2012 07:54