HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 12/6/2022 - Memorandum From Molly Saylor Re: Disposable Bag Ordinance Implementation UpdateEnvironmental Services
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6600
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MEMORANDUM
Date: December 1, 2022
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Thru: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Lindsay Ex, Environmental Services Director
Caroline Mitchell, Waste Reduction and Recycling Program Manager
From: Molly Saylor, Lead Waste Reduction and Recycling Specialist
Holly Pummell, Senior Waste Reduction and Recycling Specialist
Re: Disposable Bag Ordinance Implementation Update
Bottom Line: The purpose of this memorandum is an informational update to City Council. The Disposable Bag
Ordinance (DBO) reduced carryout bags from grocers by around 85% since taking effect in May. This is a
significant success that occurred faster than anticipated due to rapid community behavior change and successful
Ordinance roll out.
Disposable Bag Implementation Highlights:
- Recent observations at grocers show only a handful of paper bags coming out the door per hour, which is
nearly equivalent to the number of bags used by just one or two customers before the DBO was enacted.
- Grocery store employees confirm these observations – people are avoiding single-use bags.
- Not only have people switched to reusable bags, many are also going bagless.
- Very few community complaints or concerns lodged with the City; overall positive feedback.
Impact on paper bag fee revenues:
- Updated projections from the local Ordinance: Staff have updated initial projections using the first five
months of bag fee revenue that takes the rapid shift to reusable bags into consideration. The new
projections show revenues will be lower than planning projections from the DBO both in 2022 and
ongoing.
o Initial Projections: $790k start-up years, $630k ongoing
o Updated Projections: $280k ongoing
- More revenue is coming:
o In 2023 and 2024, the State’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (PPRA) will expand bag changes to
other large retail stores, which is likely to increase revenues beyond the $280k from DBO.
o By mid-2024, all local and State bag changes will be in place and revenues steady. The addition of
large retail stores could bring total (DBO + PPRA) bag revenue up to $500k per year.
- As new information becomes available: Staff will continue to adjust revenue projections and expenditure
plans.
Next steps for staff:
- Support Fort Collins’ large retailers and community through State bag changes in Q4, including online
resources, store signage, communications campaign, personalized business support, and more.
- Share a memo with Council in Q2 of 2023, updating revenue projections and spending scenarios.
- Continue to monitor revenues and share annual results as part of regular reporting.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43F7B8EF-4770-4B78-BE0B-2C1D72F0A9B0
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CC: Josh Birks, Sustainability Services Deputy Director
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43F7B8EF-4770-4B78-BE0B-2C1D72F0A9B0