The Carbondale, Colorado, Board of Trustees voted 5-1 in favor of a plastic grocery bag ban, rather than adopting a usage fee. The ban takes effect in May 2012 and closely mirrors one passed by neighboring Aspen’s City Council.
For now, the new ordinance applies only to bags provided at grocery stores larger than 3,500 square feet. It prohibits the distribution of plastic shopping bags to customers and imposes a 20-cent fee for each paper bag shoppers opt to use. Currently, there is only one grocery store that exceeds 3,500 square feet in Carbondale.
The ban does not apply to other types of plastic bags provided by grocery stores, such as produce and bakery bags and meat wrappers.
Trustee John Foulkrod called it a strong message to send to consumers about the dangerous health and environmental impacts from petroleum-based plastics, as well as over-consumerism in general. Carbondale Mayor Stacey Bernot voted against the ordinance, but not because she disagreed with the ban. She supported a larger, town-wide ban that would include other retail stores that provide carryout bags for their customers.
Under the ordinance, grocers will keep a portion of the fees to cover administrative costs. The remainder goes into a fund to provide education and outreach on the issue, support recycling efforts and provide reusable cloth carryout bags.
Our reusable bag contest ended on October 14. Nonprofit organizations and school groups posted on our Facebook wall the reasons why they needed 200 reusable bags. Using the power of social media, they then spread the word far and wide to get ‘likes’ for their post.
The winner of our first-ever giveaway is Alpha Phi Omega at San Jose State University, a coed community service-based organization. They plan to use the bags at a dinner to benefit Wild Care Bay Area.
We also had nine other wonderful organizations submit entries.
Expired Coupons for Overseas Military
Coups For Troops: The Carolinas
We Coupon for Cause
Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation
TLC Meals on Wheels Indian Creek Elementary
Manteno High School freshmen
Birth Roots Bellytobaby
Paws and Stripes
This was the first of more contests and giveaways to come, so be sure to ‘like’ Bulletin Bag [.com] AND our reusable bottle division, Bulletin Bottle [.com], on Facebook to get a jump on the next promotion! Thanks to everyone who entered, and congratulations to Alpha Phi Omega, SJSU!
Don’t forget: we offer great nonprofit and school discounts on nearly every bag on our website, so if your organization is considering a reusable bag fundraiser, be sure to contact us!
Our contest isn’t over yet! Join the six great schools and nonprofits already entered to win 200 Drawstring Latitudes Foldaway Shopper bags! Check out these awesome entries (so far!):
Every week we pick two of our reusable bags and have our staff members put them through the wringer. We’ll comment on the outcomes here (and encourage our clients to do the same!). This week, we’ve chosen two great canvas grocery bags: Full Sized Recycled Cotton Market Bag and Full Size Organic Market Bag. In addition, these two bags are on sale until the end of the month! READ MORE...
Hey, Nonprofits and Schools! Tired of fundraisers with low return on investment? Here’s your chance to WIN a reusable bag fundraiser, and the proceeds are 100% yours to keep!
Bulletin Bag [.com] is giving away 200 Drawstring Latitudes Foldaway Shopper bags—printed with YOUR logo–-to the winning school or nonprofit! The suggested sell price is $10 per bag, but the winner ultimately sets the price based on how much they want to earn. If the bags sell for $10 each, the nonprofit could make $2000!
Just ‘like’ us on Facebook, post why your school or nonprofit should win the bags, and tell everyone to ‘like’ your post. On October 14, the post with the most ‘likes’ wins! It’s that simple!
Have a worthy organization in mind? Nominate them! Ready to enter? Want to learn more? Visit Cooperation-Green.com or facebook.com/bulletinbag
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