Denver鈥檚 Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency is adding Plastic Bag Swap events this July and August. Since Earth Day, the city has hosted seven events, collected roughly 38,800 plastic bags (471lbs!) and given away over 1,100 reusable bags. In conjunction with these events, the city is soliciting feedback on how to spend money collected through the Disposable Bag Fee.
Residents can trade their plastic bags 鈥� including grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, produce wrap and plastic shipping envelopes – for a free reusable bag. Trex, a national outdoor living company, will recycle all plastic collected from these events into new outdoor furniture and decking.
Plastic bag recycling events have already taken place this spring and summer in the Jefferson Park, Hampden, Baker, Central Park, City Park, Green Valley Ranch, and Marston neighborhoods. Starting June 1, Colorado stores stopped providing single-use plastic carry-out bags, with limited exceptions. Plastic Free July is an annual global challenge to encourage people to reduce their use of single-use plastic.