Nonprofit Estimates Colorado Used Over a Billion Fewer Plastic Bags in 2023

Eco-Cycle, a nonprofit recycling center focusing on zero waste, estimates that Colorado used 1.5 to 1.8 billion fewer plastic bags in 2023.

The organization attributes this to the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, which was part of House Bill 21-1162, which saw laws that phased out the use of single-use plastic.

"It took many years to get it passed but we have become now a leader in the nation," Randy Moorman, the director of policy and community campaigns at Eco-Cycle, said. "It’s a huge impact as we’ve seen dramatic change in how we as customers go into our stores and use products like this. It's become a pretty easy and regular change that we have accepted, which is great." 

The law implemented a 10-cent fee for every plastic or paper bag a customer carried out of a store in hopes of encouraging the use of reusable bags.

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