For Immediate Release | August 23, 2017

Avon to Host Public Forums for Plastic Bag and Polystyrene Reduction Ordinances

Avon, CO – The Avon Town Council is proposing the adoption of two new ordinances. The first would enact a ban on certain disposable plastic bags and require a charge of ten cents for the use of disposable paper bags. The second would prohibit food vendors from using polystyrene-based disposable food service ware (polystyrene food containers).
 
Two public forums will be held in order to give business representatives and members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the plastic bag and polystyrene reduction initiatives. Each forum will begin with a presentation, followed by a Q&A. The public forums are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, August 31, 2017
Avon Performance Pavilion Green Room
2:00 p.m.
 
Thursday, September 6, 2017
Avon Performance Pavilion Green Room
2:00 p.m.

 
First reading of both proposed ordinances are scheduled for action at the regular September 12, 2017, Town Council meeting. If the Town Council passes one or both of the ordinances at the meeting, the public hearing for second reading can be anticipated to be heard at the September 26, 2017, Town Council meeting.
 
The plastic bag and polystyrene reduction initiatives stem from the adopted Town of Avon 2017-2019 Strategic Plan and the adopted Climate Action Plan for the Eagle County Community (CAP). The Strategic Plan identifies a “Tier 1 Priority” to “Consider legislation to end the use of plastic bags and non-compostable take-out containers by retailers and restaurants in the Town of Avon.” The Town Council adopted the CAP in December 2016, and followed that up with approval of an Implementation Schedule for the CAP, which details a “Reduce use of single use shopping bags county-wide” program.
 
All information about the two ordinances can be found on the Town’s website at www.avon.org/engage. To provide comment on the proposed ordinances, please email comments to Town Clerk Debbie Hoppe at dhoppe@avon.org.    

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