Plastic Bags Outlaws: Wanted Dead Or Alive! You may not have seen the wanted posters on these outlaws yet. However, they have hit the “Top 10” list of undesirables with penalties for association and rewards for capture.
Plastic Bags Outlaws and Unspeakable Destruction
Recycle or Ban: Which Do You Choose?
It’s time these violators were brought to justice. You remember, Consolidated Waste Systems previously blogged about:
- The destruction of our oceans and rivers and the islands of plastic monsters.
- The pollution of our land and water…Our Food and Water Supplies.
National News: Colorado Law and the Plastic Bag
This week, the Consolidated Waste Systems blog looks at new laws passed in Colorado. This achievement limits the consumption and damage by such dangerous plastic outlaws and their supporters. Therefore, we applaud their achievement and cheer for their victory.
Colorado State Group, “Law Dawgs,” Retaliates Against Plastic Bag Outlaws
The Colorado legislature retaliated against the outlaw gang of plastic bags and associates. They did so by passing a law “making use of plastic bags and certain other plastic one-use containers unlawful.”
For several years, State Lawmakers struggled to get sufficient support for this bill. Colorado lawmakers succeeded last month. They voted to join the growing list of states that ban plastic bags and polystyrene carryout containers at stores and restaurants.
Colorado Governor Joins the Posse
Tuesday, July 7, 2021: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis joined Colorado environmental activists to reduce the state’s reliance on and consumption of plastic. He topped the day by “signing HB21-1162 into law.
The new law bans single-use plastic bags at most stores and expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) takeout containers at most restaurants beginning January 1, 2024.”
The new law is a resounding success in limiting the growing destruction of plastic outlaws. However, some supporters were less enthusiastic concerning exemptions. The reason? Opposition changes to the bill resulted in fewer businesses being affected.
So, What is the Bounty For Plastic Bag Outlaws?
Yes, That’s the Earth in a Plastic Bag, Suffocating Our Environment.
Under this new bill, customers pay “10 cents per paper or plastic bag used at most grocery stores, retailers and restaurants starting in 2023.” Additionally, the “ban on single-use plastic bags and foam containers often used for takeout food will begin in 2024.”
If you still have questions as to what this means, here are two examples.
1. You walk into a store to purchase groceries for the week. When you check out, you can do one of 3 things:
- Tell the cashier you want your groceries in a bag. It doesn’t matter whether it is plastic or payer. The cost adds ten cents per bag to your purchase.
- Take your own reusable bag with you to the store.
- Or finally, gather up your various items in your arms and try to carry them to your car without a container. (Disaster Time.)
2. Take the family out to dinner or drive through a Mcdonalds’. You still have the same choices. Buy a bag or take your own.
Presumably, in 2024, the plastic bag is gone. Of course, you can always choose a paper bag… However, It will also cost you 10 cents.
Who Gets the 10 Cent Outlaw Bounty?
The answer is that 60 percent of the money collected will go to local “jurisdictions.” This will cover recycling, composting, and other “administrative cost.” The remaining bounty is kept by businesses.
Exception: According to CPR News, “People enrolled in a state or federal food assistance program do not have to pay the bag fee.”
What Colorado Business are Affected?
Most major businesses are affected including:
- Major grocery stores and supermarkets.
- Major convenience stores.
- Restaurants.
- Major retailers
- Liquor stores.
- And finally, other major stores providing plastic shopping bags.
Which Stores Escaped the Ban?
Which Bag is Safest For Our Environment?
Some businesses did avoid capture. These were smaller or specialty businesses. Notably, smaller businesses are defined as those having fewer than 3 business locations.
- Smaller stores with three or fewer locations.
- Farmers and roadside markets.
- Laundry or dry cleaning services.
- Pharmacies.
- Bulk stores.
- Frozen food, meat, seafood, plants, and other items that could otherwise be contaminated.
Colorado: First State to Repeal Preemptive Law
The new Colorado law has one very unusual feature. It allows “municipalities to enforce bans that are stricter than the state’s statutes starting in July 2024.” This means that a city or town in Colorado can create its own law which is stricter than the state law.
Colorado claims the bill marks the state as the first state to repeal its preemption law.
For example, Denver already has a bag ban. So, the city of Denver required retailers to charge 10 cents per bag starting in July of this year.
Banning Versus Recycling the Plastic Bags Outlaws
Say “No” to Excess Plastic Bags. Thus, Recycle or Ban Them Or Both.
Debate rages as to which is the best course of action, Banning or Recycling? Our solution here in Florida has favored recycling. Our reasoning? If we can change a villain into a hero or a plastic bag into an efficient tool, it’s a good day.
However, a fair conclusion is that neither banning nor recycling is necessarily a complete answer. Thus, we may have to consider both in the future.
Additionally, we are not likely to solve this dilemma in this one short article. Therefore, we conclude by sending applause to Colorado and cheers to our own Florida heroes.
