Steamboat’s “Team Bag Ladies” eye the podium at end of bag challenge

23 Aug Steamboat’s “Team Bag Ladies” eye the podium at end of bag challenge

[click “Play” for Eileen’s conversation with Catherine Carson]

The Colorado Association of Ski Towns Reusable Bag Challenge is winding down, but the number of single-use plastic bags being eliminated every day continues to climb and is pushing 3 million. Currently, the United States uses 100 billion plastic bags per year at an estimated cost of 4 billion dollars and 12 million barrels of oil. Helping to make a dent in eliminating single-use plastic bags is the Colorado Ski Town of Steamboat Springs, currently in 6th place out of more than 30 participating communities who have joined the CAST Challenge since March 1st.   The contest ends September 1st with the winning town receiving a $10,000 grant from sponsors Alpine Bank and PCL Construction to install a solar panel system at a public school for the winning community.  Independent Power Systems will install the panels for free.

Catherine Carson is Treasurer for Yampa Valley Recycles and one of the founding members of “Team Bag Ladies,”  the driving force behind Steamboat Springs participation in the CAST Challenge.  Yampa Valley Recycles Misson Statement reads: “YVR believes it is possible for people to coexist with the environment without depleting natural resources or polluting the environment. We aim to expand and support comprehensive recycling programs in the Yampa Valley by educating, promoting, and implementing creative solutions to help communities reduce, reuse, and recycle.”  One of their primary accomplishments has been the sale of more than 8,000 green bags.  According to Catherine Carson, “Team Bag Ladies and Steamboat Springs,” has their sights set for a piece of the podium come September when all the numbers for the CAST Challenge are tallied and winners are announced.

For more information on how you or your business can actively participate in the Steamboat Springs area, email cathcarson@gmail.com, or call 970-870-2896. For sustainability issues in the Telluride region, see the TNCC website. 

Plastic bags never biodegrade, so please commit to using your reusable bag and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same!  

The CAST Challenge was initiated by Telluride local David Allen, who is also owner of Lotus Energy Solutions and is a guide with Telluride Outside.  To contact David Allen with questions about the CAST Challenge, email dgallen2@gmail.com