Bring Your Own Bag and Reusable Containers

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February update: Check out the good news about the reduced use of single-use plastic bags in the news feed below.


Important information

The second part of the state’s plastic free law will affect your dining and takeout experience. Updates to this project page can help you save money and show your support for environmentally friendly business practices. Remember that reducing use is the best approach because it avoids the creation of packaging altogether, which means no environmental impacts from manufacturing the packaging.

Skip the plastic stuff

February update: Check out the good news about the reduced use of single-use plastic bags in the news feed below.


Important information

The second part of the state’s plastic free law will affect your dining and takeout experience. Updates to this project page can help you save money and show your support for environmentally friendly business practices. Remember that reducing use is the best approach because it avoids the creation of packaging altogether, which means no environmental impacts from manufacturing the packaging.

Skip the plastic stuff

  • Ask the business to let you use your own reusable containers for takeout or leftovers after dining.

  • Say "no thanks" to single-use items with your takeout order, or request only the items you need and skip the rest.

  • Bring your own carryout bags. Lakewood has a limited supply of free carryout bags you can pick up at the City Clerk’s Office, 480 S. Allison Parkway.

  • Use of reusable containers are healthier for food storage and reheating.

  • Help your favorite restaurant lower their costs.

  • Protect the environment because reusable containers are eco-friendly.

Carry your own reusable utensils
  • Reusable utensils can help you save money. There are many stylish options to carry reusable utensils in a compact case. Many cases contain a fork, knife, spoon, straw, and chopsticks, so you are ready for any meal that you packed or purchased.
  • Reusable utensils lower the costs for your favorite restaurant.

  • Reusable utensils are more durable. Everyone has experienced a plastic fork breaking or the plastic knife not cutting.

  • Reusable utensils are easier on the environment.

Bring your own reusable bag

  • Plastic bags are now banned. Save money on plastic by skipping the 10 cent fee for a paper bags.

  • Reusable bags are durable and don’t break as easily. Lakewood has a limited supply of free carryout bags you can pick up at the City Clerk’s Office, 480 S. Allison Parkway.

  • Reusable bags help keep plastic bags out of the environment, which is good for streams, lakes, oceans, wildlife and the Earth.


  • Plastic bag use reduced

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    Colorado used nearly 2 billion fewer plastic grocery bags last year, thanks to the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act. This information comes from Eco-cycle, one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit recyclers based in Boulder. Check out these two news stories about this reducation:

  • Plan for a plastic free new year

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    It’s time to skip the stuff – all those plastic forks, knives and foam containers for takeout or leftover restaurant food. Phase 2 of the state’s plastic free law is in effect starting Jan. 1, 2024, and it bans foam polystyrene (often referred to as Styrofoam®) takeout containers and cups for ready-to-eat foods. It also bans single-use plastic carryout bags. Please use the resources on this page to learn more and to make the transition to a plastic free approach.

    Plastics are forever. According to a July 19, 2017 article in Science Advances, 79 percent of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic that humans have produced so far are still around polluting oceans and rivers, littering the landscape and piling up in landfills. It's time to make a change.

  • Carryout bags available at recreation centers

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    If you've missed our city festivals so far this year where we have been distributing free carryout bags, you can now pick up one at city recreation centers, the Clements Community Center or the City Clerk's Office.

    These free bags have the winning photo of William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain taken by a Lakewood resident, and they are made from 80 percent recycled bottles. We have been distributing these bags at city events and festivals, but this has gone slower than expected because several of the events have been affected by the rains earlier this year.

  • New bag distribution

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    We distributed more than 1,000 bags during the city's Earth Day Celebration this last weekend, and we'll continue to distribute these bags at several other city events and festivals(External link) this year, with the next event in June at the Rockin' Block Party(External link). These bags are made from 80 percent recycled plastic bottles, and we think the image really promotes a sense of pride in the wonderful parks and open spaces available in Lakewood.

  • New carryout bags

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    We have exciting news! The carryout bags with the winning submission for our design contest will be distributed starting this week at the city's Earth Day Celebration.

    We'll continue to distribute these bags at several other city events and festivals this spring and summer. These bags are made from 80 percent recycled plastic bottles, and we think the image really promotes a sense of pride in the wonderful parks and open spaces available in Lakewood.


  • Design contest winner

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    We had nearly 20 entries for our bag design contest, and we picked the above photograph, taken from the summit of Lakewood's William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain because it's a great picture. We also thought it would inspire residents to do all they can to take care of the beauty that's in their city. Those in the sustainability field have found that residents are much more motivated by protecting their beautiful local amenities than by slogans.

    Lakewood resident Jeremy Fleming submitted this photo, and we are working to have it printed on a second round of reusable carryout bags, which we will distribute at the city's festivals during the spring and summer.

    Thanks for all your thoughtful submissions!

  • Updated resources

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    We have several updates for you. Check them out:

  • Getting the bags where they are needed

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    In an effort to provide reusable bags to underserved communities and those in need, we are delivering bags to local food banks. Jeffco Eats put them to use right away by filling them up with food for delivery to schools. Jeffco Eats helps kids and families eat by providing food over the weekends to ensure that no child goes hungry in Jeffco Public Schools known as Title 1 schools, which are those with a high number of students in need.

  • Bags are here!

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    You can now pick up free carryout bags while supplies last, with the limit of two bags per household, at the City Clerk's Office, 480 S. Allison Parkway, first floor.

    If you miss out on this round of bags, there will be additional free bags available later this year at the city's festival and events.

  • Give us your best bag design

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    FEB. 6 UPDATE: The design contest is now closed, and we'll let you know who the winner, so stay tuned.

    Dec. 30, 2022 -- Get your creative juices flowing! Design the image, logo or slogan that you think will help residents bring their reusable carryout bags for shopping. We'd love to have kids participate, so get your children's colored pencils and drawing paper out!

    The winning design will be printed on bags that will given away at the city's annual Earth Day Celebration in April as well as at later events in the year. There's no prize money involved, but you'll have the pride of producing what your fellow residents will see when they shop, and you'll help them skip bag fees to save their cents.

Page last updated: 28 Feb 2024, 09:12 AM