Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Single Use Bag Fee
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Single Use Bag Fee
In October of 2011, Aspen City Council adopted Municipal Code 13.24 – Waste Reduction prohibiting the distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags at the two grocery stores in the City of Aspen -- City Market and Clarks Market. The legislation implemented a $0.20 fee on all paper bags utilized by customers.
In 2021, the Colorado General Assembly enacted House Bill 21-1162 Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (PPRA) to manage the distribution of single-use materials such as plastic and polystyrene in the state.
While the PPRA requires all applicable stores in Colorado to charge a $0.10 fee on all single-use, carryout bags, the City of Aspen’s ordinance increases the PPRA’s $0.10 per bag fee to align with the existing code, raising the fee to $0.20 per bag. Retailers will remit $0.16 per bag to the City.
The revenue collected from the single-use bag fees are transferred to the City monthly and are allocated to a Waste Reduction Fee fund only to be used for specialized waste reduction projects. This revenue supports projects including the annual purchasing of reusable bags for free distribution around the city and hosting the free electronic waste collection event for individuals to recycle their electronics.
Click here to read Ordinance 06 of 2023.
Read the Single Use Bag Study (PDF) to learn more about how the Reusable Bag Program is working. Click here for a sample of a sign.
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Single Use Bag Fee
Charge $0.20 for each single-use carryout bag distributed to a customer. The fee cannot be internalized by the company and must be charged and itemized on the receipt.
Remit payment of $0.16 for each bag to the City of Aspen on a quarterly basis:
- April 20th
- July 20th
- October 20th
- January 20th
Stores must provide a sign notifying customers of this program.
Restaurants, small stores (as defined in question 7), farmers markets, and participants of federal, state, or local assistance programs are exempt from the law’s requirements.
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Single Use Bag Fee
Remitted fees are used for administrative, enforcement costs and costs associated with any recycling, composting, or other waste diversion programs and activities. The revenue will be put into a Waste Reduction Fee fund only to be used for specialized waste reduction projects. This revenue supports projects, including the annual purchasing of reusable bags for free distribution around the city and hosting the free electronic waste collection event for individuals to recycle their electronics.
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Single Use Bag Fee
As of July 1st, 2024, stores are prohibited from distributing plastic bags, and must only offer recycled paper carryout bags. This requirement does not include small, lightweight bags to collect items inside a store like produce, bulk food or deli items, or prescription medications.
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Single Use Bag Fee
According to Colorado state statute, "Reusable carryout bag" means a carryout bag that is designed and manufactured for at least one hundred twenty-five uses, can carry at least twenty-two pounds over a distance of one hundred seventy-five feet, has stitched handles, and is made of cloth, fiber, or other fabric or a recycled material such as polyethylene terephthalate (pet).
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Single Use Bag Fee
- You can provide your customers with reusable carryout bags or paper bags made with 100% recycled content.
- Restaurants are exempt from the law’s requirements.
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Single Use Bag Fee
Yes. Some retailers are exempt and are not required to phase out plastic checkout bags or charge a $0.20 bag fee. Exempt retailers may choose to opt-in the program and charge the $0.20 bag fee.
Exempt businesses include:
- “Small” stores: stores with three or fewer locations operating solely in Colorado and are not part of a franchise, corporation, or partnership with locations outside of Colorado
- Restaurants
- Farmers and roadside markets
- Anyone who can prove that they participate in a federal, state, or local assistance program
If you provide your costumers with reusable bags, reach out to waste@aspen.gov to determine if the bag is exempted from the bag fee.
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Single Use Bag Fee
The most effective thing would be to look for ways to no longer use single-use carryout bags of any kind at your store. Promoting the use of reusable bags is encouraged as much as possible.
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Single Use Bag Fee
While the PPRA requires all applicable stores in Colorado to charge a $0.10 fee on all single-use, carryout bags starting Jan. 1, 2023, the City of Aspen’s ordinance increases the PPRA’s $0.10 per bag fee to align with the existing code approved in 2011, raising the fee to $0.20 per bag.