Title
A resolution submitting to the registered qualified electors of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the coordinated election conducted by mail ballot to be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020, the question of imposition and collection of a ten cent ($0.10) per bag fee on single use plastic bags, providing for the form of the ballot title and text, providing for certain matters with respect to the election, and providing the effective date of this resolution.
Presenter:
Councilmember, Yolanda Avila
Body
Summary:
This resolution refers this item to the November 2020 election. A single use plastic bag fee can help to reduce the use of single use plastic and associated litter and waste issues by encouraging consumers to bring their own reusable bags. By encouraging the use of reusable bags the City can mitigate the long term effects of disposable bags and single-use products on the City's drainage and stormwater system, transportation system, wildlife, and environment.
Background:
Plastic litter is one of the largest pollutants in rivers, oceans, cities and natural areas. It is estimated that over 1 trillion single use plastic bags are consumed globally each year, or 1 million bags per minute. Shoppers in the U.S. use about 1 plastic bag per person per day, which is approximately 120 billion bags per year.
Upon passage of the question by the voters, beginning July 1, 2021, stores may sell single use plastic carryout bags to customers for ten cents ($0.10) per bag. Bag fees are to be split sixty percent (60%) to the City and forty percent (40%) to the store. The City will use the bag fees for administrative costs, funding clean up events in the City's parks, rights-of way and other public properties, educational activities related to the environment, programs and infrastructure to reduce waste, and mitigation of the effects of waste in the City's public spaces. The store would use the fees for the purposes set forth in the Code provis...
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