Public Comments 09-12-2017 Plastic BagsComments on Plastic Bag Reduction Initiative
Dear Avon Town Council: Avon, Colorado July 23, 2017
You are considering a ban on certain disposable plastic bags and requiring a charge of ten cents for the
use of disposable paper bags, with our grocery stores up first. We believe that although some people
feel strongly that this Initiative is needed and is the right thing to do, we would like to point out some
arguments why we believe this Initiative is the wrong thing to do.
We have been involved with many town, highway and bike path cleanups for the past 20 years. We do
pick up plastic (grocery) bags when we encounter them. However they are infrequently encountered;
their existence does not cry out for a ban. Tissues, cigarettes, wrappers comprise much of the trash.
Plastic grocery bags are reused, repurposed and recycled. The bags are the right size for most home
trash cans and are reused for that purpose. The recycling containers at City Market and Walmart are
always filled, thus proving people are recycling. Removing these bags would require the outright
purchase of brand new bags off the shelf for home use. How does a bag for a bag make any sense?
Those of us who live here visit City Market or Walmart probably 3 or 4 times per week. The existing
system works for us. The markets have invested real dollars in the rotary bag holders which are
efficient, scaled to the self -check weight requirements, and fill quickly by the manual packers. Why
change a system that is efficient, mastered by we resident customers and replace it with a clumsy,
inefficient and time wasting system. Plastic bags have built in handles; paper bags do not. Picture trying
to walk out of City Market with a likely maximum of two paper bags, one in each arm and pressed to
your chest. Think about your last shopping trip and how you momentarily switched the plastic bags
from one hand to the other so you could get your car keys out of your pocket or purse. Now think
further on how you did this in the winter. We also think a ban on plastic bags will disproportionately
affect older people, people with balance problems and those who walk to the store. Seriously consider
the plight of those shoppers walking one-half mile or more trying to balance paper bags in their arms.
The impact of this Initiative will have a chilling effect on the multitude of tourist/out-of-town shoppers.
It is a daunting task to shop for items in an unfamiliar store, especially one that is often very crowded,
with narrow aisles. It is unfair to impose on them one more barrier when it comes time to check out.
They would not have brought along reusable bags, they are struggling with the credit card machines,
and now have to make more non-productive decisions on how to get their purchases to their car. Think
of how you would feel and the resulting ill will and negative views of Avon will seem justified.
All of us who live and work here, go out of our way to put our best foot forward and be welcoming and
helpful to our guests. We know the Town Council feels the same way and that view has driven many a
decision over the years. Do we seriously want to jeopardize that approach and its success by
implementing this Initiative? Please think of the consequences of this action.
Groceries sometimes leak: produce often sweats, meat packaging often drips, think leaky milk or juice
cartons, eggs that break and other grocery packaging malfunctions. We have personally experienced
this. Plastic bags contain and trap these common events. Paper gets wet and tears; and reusable bags
must be cleaned and should be sanitized after every use. Do we use another produce -type bag to
double wrap? We have all been warned of the dangers of contaminated food and possible bacteria in
reusable bags seem like an invitation to disaster. Just what we need in headlines: Tourists choose not
to visit Avon because of fear of food poisoning from shopping at its only two supermarkets. One well
publicized event would trigger this perception... just ask Chipotle. Are you willing to take that risk?
We think that very few people in Avon support this Initiative. Most that we have talked to are first of all
unaware of its existence (it hasn't received front page attention, yet) do not support it but may not
comment. There is a feeling among Avon people that we know, that Council "has their mind made up
and it doesn't do any good to speak up". Also people who live in Edwards, Eagle -Vail and
unincorporated Eagle County shop here in Avon and don't have a voice. But they will be similarly
negatively affected. You should exercise some duty to out of Avon shoppers, who have no voice but are
paying sales taxes, supporting Avon.
It is entirely possible that a small minority of activists (Avon residents?) are indeed behind this Initiative.
Similar bans have been instituted in Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge (probably more, we don't know).
There is a common belief that plastic bags are washing up on the Pacific coast shores; that banning
plastic bags here in Avon somehow counters this issue and "that every little bit helps". We submit that
those activists and people who sympathize with their views already have a choice: they can refuse to
accept the free plastic bags at the stores, and bring their own reusable bags and/or paper bags. Nothing
is stopping them from doing their own "every little bit helps" contribution. It is usually unwise policy to
submit to the wishes of a small, but vocal and outspoken minority and have them dominate the
majority, especially when the minority can already take positive actions into their own hands to achieve
their personal objectives. They are not being harmed. We would expect that you will receive many
more supportive comments than negative because of the likely source of this Initiative's conception.
In conclusion we ask that you think of the many unintended consequences of this Initiative, and do not
inconvenience thousands of shopper/visits every week, all for little practical gain, other than saying we
don't want to be outdone by Aspen and Vail. That's not what we elected you to do. Do things for us
and our guests; not to us.
Sincerely,
Norma and Charles Carter
While I understand the reason for attempting to decrease the number of shopping bags in the landfill, I
use the bags as trash bags. If this occurs I will need to buy bags for trash which will in turn end up in the
land fill. What is the difference?
Deborah McBride
Debbie Hoppe
From: Karen E Anderson <karene@vail.net>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 5:29 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Plastic bag & styrofoam ban
Hi Debbie, I'm writing to let you know that I support the plastic bag ban in Avon, as well as a styrofoam ban. Thank you
for considering doing something small to help stop destroying our environment. Karen Anderson
Debbie Hoppe
From: toni fish <tonifish2000@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 5:29 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Please put a ban
on plastic bags in avon. My name is Marki Sindlinger I live in Wildridge, avon, colorado. Please let this be or act as a
community member who wants to stop platic bags in Avon Colorado.
Thank you
Marki Sindlinger
Debbie Hoppe
From: zippyskippy@gmail.com on behalf of Chad Steele <chad@chadsteele.com>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 5:48 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe; Preston Neill
Subject: ban plastic bags in avon
Hello Avon City Council,
Let's lead Colorado in by joining this list of progressive cities to ban the use of plastic bags.
Austin, Cambridge, Mass., Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
more... http://www.surfrider.org//pages/plastic-bag-bans-fees
I believe it will ultimately help tourism because people will ultimately respect and remember "responsible"
legislation. Being leaders in this movement will give us free worldwide marketing.
We all know how terrible plastic bags are for the environment—they choke wildlife, they don't break down in
landfills (or in oceans), they add to our demand for oil, and they aren't easy to recycle, which is the biggest
reason why 90 percent of plastic bags in the U.S. are not recycled.
Yet an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year -380 billion of those in the
U.S.
Let's make Avon, Colorado a responsible leader for future generations.
thank you
Chad Steele
Eagle Vail
Debbie Hoppe
From: annie richards <yogaannie3@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 5:52 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: plastic bag ban
To whom it may concern,
I fully support the plastic bag ban...
I was in UK when they implemented a country wide ban N they began charging 5p and 10p
per bag and overnight people started using canvas etc bags... It was fabulous and
drastically reduced the number of plastic bags in circulation. People were very receptive,
and the monetary motivation was very effective.
Sincerely, Annie Richards
1
Debbie Hoppe
From: ROBERT NICOLA FARRER <nicolafarrer@msn.com>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 6:00 PM
To: Preston Neill
Cc: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Yes to plastic bag ban....
Hello,
We need to continue to show our love for this amazing planet we call home. I fully support the plastic bag ban and
hope that shortly after will follow the ban on the use of styrofoam......
I do shop in West Vail and LOVE their commitment to no plastic bags. I feel proud when I shop there...... I want to
feel proud of Avon town and the positive changes they are making to keep us a progressive and compassionate
community.
Thank you for listening to my voice.
NICOLA FARRIER
Debbie Hoppe
From: JENNIFER SCHRADER <Jennifer.schrader@eagleschools.net>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 6:10 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe; Preston Neill
Subject: Full Support
Ms. Hoppe and Mr. Neill,
I fully support a plastic bag ban for Avon. Furthermore, I support a styrofoam ban.
Warmly,
Jen Schrader
Upper School English Teacher
X
Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy
1 Academy Loop
P.O. Box 369
Minturn, CO 81645
970-328-2811
Debbie Hoppe
From: Mary Ellen Blair <metingles@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 8:44 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Plastic Bags and Styrofoam Ban
The Blair family is in favor of this.
Thankyou
Mary and Joe Blair
Eagle -Vail
Mary Blair
USPS -POB 3784 Vail CO 81658-U5P5
UPS or FED EX -210 East Larkspur Lane Avon CO 81620
970-331-8112
Debbie Hoppe
From: Kelly Charbonneau <kacharbol@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 10:22 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Bag ban
I am an Avon resident and I support both the plastic bag and styrofoam ban.
Thank you
Kelly Charbonneau
Sent from my Whone
Debbie Hoppe
From: Courtney Gregory <cgcycle@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 10:56 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Ban the Bag!
Do it!
Sent from Outlook
To the Town of Avon officials and councilors:
Plastic bags are a great convenience and are sanitary to use as well. The
town(s) already have hefty sales taxes, and who is most affected by this? The
very same working class that some on the council claim to support. How
hypocritical.
Nonetheless, from CMC to city councils, too many local officials put a
nonsensical global agenda above local concerns and people. Many people of
this mindset simply won't know what they have until it's gone and are also
nearly impossible to engage in meaningful dialogue. Power for the sake of
power, as Orwell noted, is tyranny.
Sadly, many people who favor nationwide bag bans are little more than
fascists, working with companies to establish autocratic rule that produces
more money only for the elitist ruling class. Many of these same people also
support "by any means necessary" political protests policies. Yet these same
people would rail against the same tactics if, for example, they were harassed
at home or while in a restaurant trying to enjoy a meal with family or friends.
So, to the open- and civic -minded members of the council, don't be a part of
this Marxist -promoted insanity, this anti -social behavior and hateful disregard
of citizenry. It is a Third World practice, and we are the beacon on the shining
hill. Reject the plastic bag ban in total.
Thank you.
Mike Spaniola
This proposed legislation has underlying (flawed) assumptions:
1. The public does not reuse plastic bags i. The public does not recycle plastic bags
As the owner of a dog and a cat, I use these bags daily to dispose of their waste. Like everyone else I
know, I use these bags to line the smaller waste baskets in my home. On an average week, I reuse 12-
15 of these bags.
For these daily uses, a reusable shopping bag is not an option. If plastic bags are banned, I will be
forced to purchase bags for these specific purposes. Let's think that through:
Pet waste and trash bags are created for single use. The effort and resources to produce, transport
and dispose of those bags all goes into utilizing the bag ONE time.
As for recycling the plastic bags, I see overflowing containers at City Market each time I shop there.
For sure, more of the bags could and should be recycled.
Instead of legislation, regulation and enforcement of yet another new law, an incentive program to
change habits should be considered. More carrot, less stick. Local businesses do not need more
regulation and taxation. The costs to the businesses get passed right along to their customers and
the cost of living in Eagle County already borders on prohibitive.
Please consider offering incentives not penalties. We do not need another layer of costly
government dictating our daily activities.
A few incentive ideas:
- Offer free admission to local events by bringing a certain number of plastic bags for recycling.
- Offer a reduction to local taxes if a certain amount is recycled in a year.
- Partner with local businesses. Businesses provide gift certificates or discounts for anyone who
brings in a certain amount of bags to recycle.
- Partner with Vail Resorts to offer free or discounted parking, food, lift tickets or services to those
who bring in bags for recycling.
- Give attractive and durable reusable bags to those who bring in a certain amount to be recycled.
Notice that these suggestions all approach the situation in a positive way (more carrot) as opposed
to the negative (stick) approach of taxation. Certainly the fine citizens of this community will have
additional creative ideas. The costs of managing these incentive programs would certainly be less
than creating new regulations and their enforcement.
Thank you for considering these suggestions.
Thoughtfully and respectfully submitted, Kimberly Edgar Edwards, CO
Please ban plastic bags and polystyrene foam to go containers. We must take responsibility now
for the health our planet before it is too late.
Thank you,
Kristi Steed
2140 Saddleridge Loop #2
Avon
Town Clerk - Debbie Hoppe
Dear Ms. Hoppe
I noted the article in today's Vail Daily that your Avon Town Council will address
the Polystyrene Foam Reduction Ordinance tomorrow evening. The article encourages
comments emailed to you by this evening, so from a traveler and environmentalist, I'm
sending you my comments. I traveled through Colorado last summer and noted the
numerous pieces of Foam trash that escape the trash can, which is a source of food to
wildlife and birds - particularly when it has residue of foods on it.
http://www.vaildaily.com/news/town-of-avon-collecting-comment-on-plastic-bags-
Polystyrene/
It's very encouraging that your Council is working on this issue, as EPS is such a blight on
the environment, as well as a health issue. Asking that all food vendors not use it is only
half the battle. If your ordinance doesn't include a ban to retail sale in all grocery and
department stores and Mail Centers using packaging peanuts, then the complete problems
haven't been addressed. People will still purchase Foam, take it to the parks for picnics and
leave in their own trash bins where it will escape into the air, water and stomachs of birds.
I lead a grass roots coalition to have EPS banned in San Luis Obispo County, CA and so
far, we have successfully banned it in four of our cities; another coastal city is on the cusp of
their ordinance Oct 2. Then we move for the County level. I am also working on efforts
statewide. We are also highlighting the health issues of using Foam: that heat, oily and
acidic foods activate and release the EPS chemicals into the food and drinks. We need to
combat issues that contribute to health concerns as well.
Please check out our ordinance from San Luis Obispo. Unfortunately, the City Council
didn't go the extra level, and include "Foam meat trays, egg cartons and Polystyrene
cutlery". So, I want to direct you towards the Polystyrene Ordinance of Malibu, CA:
https://www.malibucity.org/nofoam, that includes:
• Food ware (including cups, plates, clamshells, and other containers)
• Meat and fish trays, and egg cartons
• Packing materials* (including "peanuts" and shipping boxes, and when using within Malibu to pack
items sold, unless packing materials were donated or are reused and not sent to consumer or end
user)
• Coolers, ice chests or similar containers*
• Pool or beach toys*
• Dock floats, mooring buoys, or anchor or navigational markers*
* Unless they are wholly encased within a more durable material
San Luis Obispo, CA EPS Ordinance
http://www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/com m unity-
development/sustainability/expanded-polystyrene-regulations
I'd like you to consider using the City of Malibu, CA's Polystyrene Ordinance! Be a leader in
Colorado. Your birds and wildlife will thank you, as well as this become a huge change to
litter, people's understanding of litter and landfill issues.
Sincerely,
Janine Rands
Chair
SLO Foam Free (our fb page)
San Luis Obispo, CA
Debbie Hoppe
From: Susan Wilke <wilke@vail.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 9:57 AM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: plastics!
Hi - Just wanted to commend you all on attempting to prohibit polystyrene foam as well as limit the
number of plastic bags we use.
It's about time someone in this valley did something about this! Let's hope our future will be
polystyrene and plastic bag free! :)
Susan Wilke
Debbie Hoppe
From: Leslie Snyder <leslie.a.snyder@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 10:06 AM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Plastic Bag Ban in Avon
Hi Debbie,
I am writing this letter to you to support whole-heartedly the potential plastic bag ban in Avon. To be honest, I
can't believe it hasn't already taken place and that we haven't followed the lead of the town of Vail and other
areas in Colorado and the nation as a whole. I have heard that there are those that are not in support of the ban
and quite frankly, I cannot understand their reasoning.
All one needs to do is look around to notice many of those plastic bags flying around or hanging on a
tree. Although plastic bags are recyclable, only 5% of them are recycled even when there are bins for this
provided by the stores. Most plastic bags eventually end up littering the ground or in a landfill, where they can
remain for as long as 1,000 years. I believe the best alternative to plastic is to carry and reuse your own (cloth)
bags. Although I am guilty of forgetting my reusable bags at times, I know that I should and can do a better job
of arriving at the market prepared. An inconvenience perhaps but it's my responsibility.
I am a mother of two and encourage my children daily to recycle and protect the world in which they live. l
hope that I am a good example to them and I hope that the place that we call home can and will follow suit.
Regards,
Leslie Snyder
From: Stephen Connolly [mailto:sfcvail@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 11:36 AM
To: Amy Phillips <amv@alpineaccessdmc.com>
Subject: plastic bag ban
Importance: Low
Glad to see that Avon is moving forward on this front. I don't remember the details in the recent post or
article that I read.
strongly recommend that if it is not total (grocers, retailers and restaurants) that you roll the other two
silos into the ordinance over time. Aspen and San Francisco agreed with this idea when I was doing the
leg work in Vail.
Based on the Vail experience, keep in mind that this will be a burden for City Market, which they will
gladly accept as being a responsible member of the community.
Consider sun setting the fee in a year or two. Your main target is going to be locals. They need to
understand the importance of doing this. After they "all" have their reusable bags and are conditioned to
keeping them in their car and using them for all things, not just groceries, it will be the guests who
become slightly irritated with the fee. Many guests in Vail actually think this is pretty cool. (Mayor Bone
told me this himself.) City Market will gladly give guests paper bags for free.
Consider too some sort of program for people to return the little baskets that people will take with them
because they forgot their bag or are simply just not interested in participating. CM up here lost a ton of
these. I believe this has abated, as I see just about everyone (locals that is) walking in with reusable
bags.
Thanks for taking the flack and doing what is needed, regardless of the Chastain's and Cacioppo's of the
world.
sfc
P.s. Make it a cool bag too. "It's in the bag in Avon." And make Avon big and bold and easy to read. I
wanted to make bags that said "My grand dad went to Vail and all he brought me was this stupid bag."
Stephen Connolly
sfcvaiI6jfttmail.com
970-376-5798 (cell)
970-476-6826 (phone, fax and voicemail)
Looking for a great little Bed and Breakfast in Vail?
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4015461
From: Mary Griesedieck [mailto:msper4()gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2017 8:10 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Plastic bag use in Avon
I am definitely in favor of stopping the use of plastic bags in Avon as I care about the
environment and they often end up in rivers,creeks and eventually, oceans.
Other areas,including Vail and Aspen have passed the ordinance,and it is about time Avon did
too!
Mary Griesedieck
Arrowhead home owner
PLEASE NOTE MY NEW EMAIL ADDRESS:
msper4 gmail.com
From: Kristi Steed [ma iIto: kikisteed80)gmail.coml
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2017 2:52 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Plastic Bag Ban
Please ban plastic bags and polystyrene foam to go containers. We must take responsibility now
for the health our planet before it is too late.
Thank you,
Kristi Steed
2140 Saddleridge Loop #2
Avon
-----Original Message -----
From: campbell.nicole970@gmail.com[mailto:campbell.nicole970@gmail.comj
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2017 6:54 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Avon plastic bag ban
As a home owner and resident of Avon, I fully support the plastic bag ban. We live in a community that
shows how's much there is to loose from climate change and pollution. Our household fully supports
any measure to help prevent waste and pollution.
Nicole Campbell
Sent from iPhone
From: Dawn Richter [mailto:dawn@richterfineartphotography.com]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 12:46 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Plastic Ban
Hello Debbie,
I am in support of banning plastic bags and polystyrene foam from food service. In this day and
age it is so obvious and important that we need to do more to take on climate change. As
individuals and as a community we can do better. There is absolutely no need to use these when
there are so many healthier alternatives. The next step is to ban plastic water bottles. Our
children are counting on us!
Dawn Richter
`vw`v.iichterfineaitnhotogranhv.com
Richter Fine Art Photography
225 Wall Street
Vail, CO 81657
970.476.4507 Gallery
970.708.1114 Cell
From: CC [mailto:coloradocorrie@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 5:25 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe; Preston Neill
Subject: I support plastic ban and styrofoam ban for Avon
From: Isabela Rose [mailto:isabelasrose@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 5:26 PM
To: Preston Neill
Subject: Support plastic bag and styroform ban
Having lived in the valley for over 8 years, I unconditionally support the ban for plastic bags and
styroform. There are other great solutions and the people that live in this valley are amazing.
Thanks,
From: JENNIFER SCHRADER [mailto:jennifer.schrader@eagleschools.net]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 6:10 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe; Preston Neill
Subject: Full Support
Ms. Hoppe and Mr. Neill,
I fully support a plastic bag ban for Avon. Furthermore, I support a styrofoam ban.
Warmly,
Jen Schrader
Upper School English Teacher
Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy
1 Academy Loop
P.O. Box 369
Minturn, CO 81645
970-328-2811
From: Karen E Anderson [mailto:kareneCd)vail.net
l
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 5:29 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Plastic bag & styrofoam ban
Hi Debbie, I'm writing to let you know that I support the plastic bag ban in Avon, as well as a
styrofoam ban. Thank you for considering doing something small to help stop destroying our
environment. Karen Anderson
From: annie richards [mailto:yogaannie30)yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 5:52 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: plastic bag ban
To whom it may concern,
I fully support the plastic bag ban...
I was in UK when they implemented a country wide ban N they began charging 5p and 10p
per bag and overnight people started using canvas etc bags... It was fabulous and
drastically reduced the number of plastic bags in circulation. People were very receptive,
and the monetary motivation was very effective.
Sincerely, Annie Richards
From: Susan Wilke [mailto:wilke(&vail.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 9:57 AM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: plastics!
Hi - Just wanted to commend you all on attempting to prohibit polystyrene foam as well
as limit the number of plastic bags we use.
It's about time someone in this valley did something about this! Let's hope our future will
be polystyrene and plastic bag free! :)
Susan Wilke
From: Amanda. Mire(�Owellsfargo.com[mailto:Amanda.Mire(cOwellsfargo.coml
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 12:04 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Avon Plastic/Styrofoam Ban
I have lived in the Valley since 2001, specifically in Wildridge until 2013. 1 now reside in Minturn, but
continue to shop at Avon stores when I have to. I have talked Avon Liquor into providing
Even though Avon City Market offers more product, I have decided to support the Vail City Market due
to the progressive bag ban in the TOV. For years, I traveled to the grocery store with my bags, and
remained shocked of the lack of plastic bag ban in the Town of Avon.
I also support the Styrofoam ban — this would move the Town of Avon one step closer to being
accountable to our planet Earth.
Kindly,
Amanda
Amanda Mire, CISA, CISSP
(Upcoming PTO — NONE)
Operational Risk Consultant, Vice President
Enterprise Data & Analytics I Risk Management & Compliance
Wells Fargo Technology & Operations Group
MAC C3014-010
Tel 970-827-4042 1 Cell 303-818-5908
amanda.mire@wellsfargo.com
This message may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to
receive this for the addressee, you must not use, copy, disclose, or take any action based on this message or any
information herein. If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-
mail and delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation.
From: Stephen Connolly [mailto:sfcvail@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 11:36 AM
To: Amy Phillips <amv@alpineaccessdmc.com>
Subject: plastic bag ban
Importance: Low
Glad to see that Avon is moving forward on this front. I don't remember the details in the recent post or
article that I read.
I strongly recommend that if it is not total (grocers, retailers and restaurants) that you roll the other two
silos into the ordinance over time. Aspen and San Francisco agreed with this idea when I was doing the
leg work in Vail.
Based on the Vail experience, keep in mind that this will be a burden for City Market, which they will
gladly accept as being a responsible member of the community.
Consider sun setting the fee in a year or two. Your main target is going to be locals. They need to
understand the importance of doing this. After they "all" have their reusable bags and are conditioned to
keeping them in their car and using them for all things, not just groceries, it will be the guests who
become slightly irritated with the fee. Many guests in Vail actually think this is pretty cool. (Mayor Bone
told me this himself.) City Market will gladly give guests paper bags for free.
Consider too some sort of program for people to return the little baskets that people will take with them
because they forgot their bag or are simply just not interested in participating. CM up here lost a ton of
these. I believe this has abated, as I see just about everyone (locals that is) walking in with reusable
bags.
Thanks for taking the flack and doing what is needed, regardless of the Chastain's and Cacioppo's of the
world.
sfc
P.s. Make it a cool bag too. "It's in the bag in Avon." And make Avon big and bold and easy to read. I
wanted to make bags that said "My grand dad went to Vail and all he brought me was this stupid bag."
Stephen Connolly
sfcvail(@hotmail.com
970-376-5798 (cell)
970-476-6826 (phone, fax and voicemail)
Looking for a great little Bed and Breakfast in Vail?
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4015461
-----Original Message -----
From: Mark P. Midas [mailto:midasp@myway.com]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 2:37 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Keep plastic bags legal, duh!
Instead of banning plastic bags and charging hard working residents for paper ones, deduct 10 cents per
hour from all Town of Avon payroll checks. Be sure to include all those plush bonuses and perks that
your top officials get and all employee benefits, too. Stop the madness, you morons!
From: Nancy [mailto:klumbt@)comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 2:50 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Strongly OPPOSED to proposed ban on plastic bags and polystyrene foam
To Whom It may Concern:
Regarding public comment, we are strongly opposed to implementing this ban. It is an irritant to say the
least, a huge inconvenience to our vacationers and bad for business.We are a resort community and the
inconvenience (and nickel and diming our visitors) is simply poor form. When I am on vacation I do not
travel with re -usable bags. We should be doing everything we can to encourage travel to our community
- not discourage it. Our entire business structure depends on tourism.
Secondly, as a full time resident, I bring my own bags because it is convenient to do so. I live in Edwards
and have a choice of where to grocery shop. The Eagle City Market is newly remodeled and only about 5
minutes farther from my home. Should this ban go into place, traveling to Eagle will be even more
appealing in case I buy more groceries than my bags can contain.
PLEASE VOTE NO on the Ban
Tom and Nancy Klumb
Debbie Hoppe
From: Cherie <cherieandrob@comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 9:47 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Support for Plastic Bag Ban
Hi Debbie,
I strongly support the plastic bag ban in Avon. As a consumer who shops Village Market in Edwards
often, I would be more inclined to shop at Walmart and City Market if the Town of Avon adopts a
plastic bag ban. I would also be happy to be required to bring my own reusable shopping bags
and/or pay a nominal fee for using plastic bags if I forgot my own bags. Furthermore, I would be
happy to forego using any bags and bag my own groceries at home in the case I forgot my own
bags. There are many solutions to reducing and/or eliminating the negative effects plastic bags have
on our ecosystems, including humans, and the increased demand for the non-renewable, planet -
damaging oil production that plastic bags requires. Since plastic does not break down, it is being
ingested by animals and the food chain means humans are eating plastic - NOT SAFE!
I also support a Styrofoam ban. It is also NOT SAFE!
Cherie L. Rollins
(970) 376-2015
Please do not hesitate to call or email me if you need any further commentary or would like me to
appear in person to advocate for a plastic -free Town of Avon.
Debbie Hoppe
From: Jen Austin <jenleeaustin@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 11:44 AM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Support Avon's plastic bag ban
Dear Ms. Hoppe,
I'm writing to express my support for the plastic bag ban; that is truly fantastic that Avon is considering one.
However, unlike Vail I think the plastic bag ban should apply to all stores in Avon, including Walmart, not just City
Market.
I'm aware of the deleterious effects of plastic bags in the environment, particularly litter that presents choking
hazards to wildlife, the use up finite natural resoures (up to loo million barrels of oil are used to make the world's
plastic bags each year), and there is no disposal method that really eliminates them, they take years to decompose.
Please consider me a strong supporter for Avon's proposed plastic bag ban, and if you need help gathering support
let me know. I work full-time but am happy to help on weekends.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment,
Jen Austin of Wildridge
From: Jon Sheppard <ionsheppard62(a)_comcast.net>
Subject: sept 14
Date: September 14, 2017 at 10:20:14 AM MDT
To: Jennie Fancher <ifancher avon.org>
Hello Lady J and greetings from not to far away. I am very very much opposed to the bag ban
here. I don't think the ban helps much of anything. Anyway if it passes now I have go out and
buy some `real' bags to carry my stuff. cheers, jon
Debbie Hoppe
From: Brad Zoller <bradzoller@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2017 2:17 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Plastic bag ordinance
Please don't ban plastic bags. I hate them, but paper bags are just as bad. Our retailers depend on tourists and
how many of tourists will pack their grocery bags when they come here on vacation?
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. That's a familiar motto in order of priority. Let's start reducing by charging for BOTH
plastic and paper. This will encourage people to bring their own bags. (NOT banning)
Sincerely,
Brad Zoller
Debbie Hoppe
From: Nancy Klumb <nmkl044@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2017 2:37 PM
To: Debbie Hoppe
Subject: Paper, Plastic or Reusable? — Stanford Magazine — Medium
As a Stanford alumni I found this current research article from the Stanford magazine quite informative regarding
comparing the carbon footprint and ecological impact of plastic, paper and reusable bags. I urge the Avon council to
read this article so that whatever decision they arrive at is an informed one, not one based on trendy ideals.
https:/Imedium.com/stanford-magazine/paper-plastic-or-reusable-cloth-which-kind-of-bag-should-i-use-c4o3957Sf3f1
Nancy Klumb
Sent from my iPad