Bring Your Own Bag
FEB. 22 NEWSFEED UPDATE: We've picked the winner of the bag design contest, so see the beautiful photo below. If you missed it, check out the updated resources as well.
In an effort to cut down on the millions of carryout bags used each year, Colorado has a new state law in effect on Jan. 1, 2023, requiring businesses to charge you a 10 cent fee to take your purchases in a single-use plastic or paper carryout bag.
Lakewood is here to help you save your cents. Use the resources on this page to make the transition to reusable bags:
FEB. 22 NEWSFEED UPDATE: We've picked the winner of the bag design contest, so see the beautiful photo below. If you missed it, check out the updated resources as well.
In an effort to cut down on the millions of carryout bags used each year, Colorado has a new state law in effect on Jan. 1, 2023, requiring businesses to charge you a 10 cent fee to take your purchases in a single-use plastic or paper carryout bag.
Lakewood is here to help you save your cents. Use the resources on this page to make the transition to reusable bags:
- Learn about cleaning reusable bags.
- Watch video on how to make a reusable bag from an old T-shirt.
- Learn about the state law and watch a video.
- See answers to frequently asked questions.
- Find easy ways to create a "bag plan" for bringing a reusable bag to shop.
Why it matters
Bringing a reusable bag to shop is good for everyone. You get to skip paying 10 cents for a single-use bag, and our goal is to eliminate the fee having to be collected at all.
You can also take the important step of protecting the beauty of your community, with no more plastic bags blowing in the wind or snaring wildlife.
Reusable bags really are the bags for the future. Let's bring it, Lakewood!
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Design contest winner
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWe 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!
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Updated resources
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWe have several updates for you. Check them out:
- Information on cleaning your reusable bags.
- Keep forgetting your bags in the back seat of the car? "Got bags" rearview mirror reminder available at the City Clerk's Office.
- Reusable bags still available at the Civic Center in City Clerk's Office, 480 S. Allison Parkway.
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Getting the bags where they are needed
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkIn 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.
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Bags are here!
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkYou 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.
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Give us your best bag design
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkFEB. 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.
Useful videos
Answers to bag fee questions
Who's Listening
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Public Information Officer
SO