Mountain Village: Single-Use Plastic Reduction Initiative Announced

17 Jan Mountain Village: Single-Use Plastic Reduction Initiative Announced

To learn more please visit townofmountainvillage.com/plastics or call (970) 369-8236.

In July 2019 Mountain Village Town Council approved a voluntary single-use plastic reduction initiative and, with the start of the new year, work has begun to implement this ground-breaking initiative in the Town of Mountain Village.

The resolution, which is entirely voluntary on behalf of merchants, restaurants, grocers, and lodgers, resembles the Town’s disposable plastic bag reduction program from 2012. It asks businesses to eliminate the distribution of single-use plastics such as straws, utensils, takeout containers, cups, and plates at points of sale, and offer reusable or compostable alternatives when requested by customers.

“The town is excited to make this change and reduce our plastic footprint, as single-use plastics are a large contributor to environmental waste,” said Zoe Dohnal, Mountain Village’s sustainability and business development senior manager.

The project is being spearheaded by the Planet Over Plastics Coalition, which was formed in conjunction with the Mountain Village Green Team. The Coalition is currently seeking volunteers to help reach out to businesses in Mountain Village to inform them of the voluntary measure and collect benchmark data in the coming months.

“Volunteers will be visiting local businesses and collecting data and information to help them transition away from plastics,” said Inga Johansson, a member of the Planet over Plastics Coalition. “If you care about your planet and our local community, any amount of time you can donate to this cause will help make a huge difference.”

Those interested in volunteering can sign up at townofmountainvillage.com/plastics. There will be three volunteer trainings on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6-7 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 10-11 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. in the Mountain Village Town Hall.

“Town Council and myself appreciate the Green Team’s efforts to identify and spearhead an effective and legal alternative to a mandatory ban that helps us to reduce our use of single-use plastic products,” said Mountain Village Mayor Laila Benitez. “Additionally, we thank our Mountain Village merchants and lodgers for their overwhelming support, many of whom have already started to make the transition away from single-use plastics.”