Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (PPRA) Information
Did you know Coloradans use an estimated 4.6 million single-use plastic bags every day? In an effort to reduce usage, the Colorado state legislature passed the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (PPRA) in 2021.
The next phase of Colorado's Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (HB21-1162) will take effect Jan. 1, 2024, banning single-use plastic bags at large grocery, convenience and retail stores and banning polystyrene foam (more commonly known as Styrofoam™) takeout containers and cups at all restaurants and schools.
Businesses will be prohibited from providing plastic bags except to use up remaining stock purchased before 2024 and must continue charging 10 cents for each paper or remaining plastic bag. Restaurants can use up remaining polystyrene containers, purchased before 2024. Currently “Small Stores” are exempted from the statewide plastic bag ban. To qualify as a “small store” the following three criteria must be met:
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solely operating in Colorado
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having three or fewer locations in the State
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not being part of a franchise, corporation, or partnership that has locations outside of Colorado
On Jan. 1, 2023, the first phase of the PPRA began, requiring businesses with more than three locations in Colorado to impose a 10-cent fee on single-use plastic and paper bags. You can avoid the fee by bringing your own reusable bags to the store. These fees do not apply to customers who provide evidence that they participate in a federal or state food assistance program, like SNAP or WIC.
Reducing and banning the use of these materials will reduce plastic pollution, cut down on waste going to the landfill and combat climate change in our community.
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Plastic pollution is an important environmental issue, because it is a part of everyone's day-to-day lives. It is a difficult problem to solve.
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The State and the public have become more aware of plastic impacts on the environment. Prior to the State's ban, it is estimated that thousands of plastic bags were being used daily.
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Banning plastic bags helps reduce the number of plastic bags that end up in landfills, by reducing this at the start/source.
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On average, a single plastic bag is used for only 12 minutes and can take over 500 years to decompose in landfills, all the while leaking pollutants into the soil and water.
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Plastic bags are made up of plastic polymers. Plastic polymers do not quickly break down and are harmful chemicals to our environment.
The State's Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (PPRA) is a good place to start decreasing plastic pollution in our community.
For more information for businesses and consumers about the PPRA, visit the Support and Resources webpage.
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