Planet Over Plastics Initiative

Almost anything and everything can be made from plastics—unquestionably the world's most versatile material. But plastics are made up of synthetic chemicals that are wreaking havoc on our planet.

On June 16, 2022, the Mountain Village Town Council approved an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and polystyrene (e.g., Styrofoam) takeout food containers and implementing a bag fee of $0.20. This ordinance goes into effect on January 1, 2023. This ordinance builds off the Town's 2019 resolution aimed to drastically reduce single-use plastics voluntarily, beginning with our local merchants, lodgers, restaurants and grocers. The ordinance brings the Town of Mountain Village closer to its ultimate zero waste goal.

In conjunction with the Mountain Village Green Team, the Planet Over Plastics Coalition has been formed to help our businesses make the transition away from single-use plastics.

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Why Limit Plastic Consumption?

The Statistics

8.3 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced since plastic was introduced in the 1950s. (1)
91 percent of plastic isn't recycled. (2)
Plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade. (2)
100 billion plastic bags are used by Americans every year. Tied together, they would reach around the Earth’s equator 773 times! (3)
There is more microplastic in the ocean than there are stars in the Milky Way. (4)
In 2018, microplastic fell in rain across the Rocky Mountains. (5)
If plastic production isn’t curbed, plastic pollution will outweigh fish pound for pound by 2050. (6)
$11 Billion spent annually to clean up the plastics in the United States. (6)

Ordinance Timeline

Effective Jan. 1, 2023:

Single-use plastic bags are banned at all retailers in Mountain Village.
Polystyrene (e.g., Styrofoam) takeout food containers are banned at all grocers and restaurants. This includes products like plates, bowls, cups, and clamshells.
A bag fee of $0.20 will be charged for all disposable carryout bags provided to customers at point of sale.
Disposable carryout bags are required to be 100% recycled content and 100% recyclable (i.e., no stickers).

Resources:

Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Read the Town's Single-Use Plastics Reduction Ordinance.
Contact the , Environmental Efficiencies and Grant Coordinator

Next Steps for Businesses

The Town of Mountain Village will be hosting workshops for businesses to understand the ordinance requirements and rollout process in fall and winter of 2022. Guides and frequently asked questions will also be published on this webpage.

Step 1: Review Inventory of Single-Use Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Takeout Food Containers

Step 2: Talk to Suppliers

Let suppliers know which products need to be replaced with alternatives or eliminated. Request 100% recycled content and recyclable bags (applies to all retailers). Request reusable or eco-preferred takeout food containers (applies to grocers and restaurants).

Business Development and Sustainability Department, and fellow business owners might be helpful resources. Bulk purchasing is encouraged and, if an option, could provide cost savings for involved participants. Contact for questions and assistance.

A few companies that provide these types of products include:

Step 3: Install Signage

Signage is required to be placed in highly visible areas to clearly communicate the bag fee requirement to customers. It is recommended that businesses install signage in 2022 to inform customers of the forthcoming bag fees. The Town of Mountain Village will be providing signage templates for retailers to use.

Step 4: Train Staff

As part of the ordinance, all retailers are required to remit 60% of the collected bag fees to the Town of Mountain Village. This is a quarterly remittance with a first deadline of April 20, 2023. Staff will need to be trained on how to charge a tax-exempt bag fee and remit payments quarterly through the Town's MUNIRevs system.

Want to do more?

Single-use plastics are being restricted throughout the world due to their severe and long-lasting negative impacts. Go a step further by practicing the steps below.

All single-use plastics should be given only upon customer request.
It is recommended that alternatives (paper straws, for instance) are also only given on customer request. This will minimize waste and cost impact during the transition phase.
With support from the coalition, businesses should begin to find alternative replacements for single-use plastic.
Direct customers to water bottle refill stations. The Town has three locations: Town Hall, Gondola Station 6: Market Plaza, and by elevator on Gondola Plaza in Mountain Village Center.
No single-use plastic (including plant-based) should be used.
Alternative and eco-preferred products are encouraged, such as biodegradable or reusable material.

Calculate your plastic footprint.

Other single-use plastics and their alternatives

Consider voluntarily replacing these plastic products with eco-preferred alternatives.

Plastic Product	Best Alternatives	Better Alternatives
Wrappers (candy, chips, etc.)	Bulk purchasing of food in reusable containers	N/A
Bottle Caps (Plastic)	Functional replacement with reusable bottles	“Connect the Cap” technical fix available
Beverage Bottles (Plastic)	Functional replacement with reusables	N/A
Bags (Plastic)	Functional replacement with reusable bags	Natural, bio-based shopping bags (paper)
Straws, Stirrers	Functional replacement with reusable straws/stirrers	Paper or wood straws/stirrers
Lids (Plastic)	Functional replacement with reusable cups	N/A
Utensils	Functional replacement with reusable utensils	Natural, bio-based biodegradable (compostable) utensils (bamboo/wood)
Take Out/Away Containers (Foam)	Functional replacement with reusable take-out containers.	Plant-based biodegradable (compostable) take-out containers
Take Out/Away Containers (Plastic)	Functional replacement with reusable containers	Plant-based biodegradable (compostable) take-out containers
Cups, Plates (Plastic)	Functional replacement with reusable cups	Plant-based biodegradable (compostable) cups
Cups, Plates (Foam)	Functional replacement with reusable cups	Plant-based biodegradable (compostable) cups
Balloons	Cultural alternatives to balloon releases	Plant-based biodegradable (compostable) alternatives