Boulder Plastic Count logo- 26

Boulder Plastic Count returns July 20 to 27

Help us understand the plastic in our everyday lives

This July, we’re once again inviting community members to join the Boulder Plastic Count and track their household plastic use for one week.

Plastic is everywhere, from the packaging on our groceries to the products we use every day. By counting the plastic we use, we can better understand where it comes from, identify opportunities to reduce it and work toward a future with less waste.

Last year, almost 100 households counted more than 3,600 plastic items in just seven days. The results showed that food and drink packaging made up about two-thirds of the plastic tracked, with snack wrappers, produce packaging and other single-use packaging among the most common items.

The challenge is simple:

  1. Track your household’s plastic use from July 20-27.
  2. Record the plastic items you use and discard.
  3. Share your results and reflections to help inform Boulder’s work to reduce plastic waste.

Whether you’re already working to reduce plastic or just curious about your household’s impact, your participation helps create a clearer picture of plastic use in our community.

Let’s count what really counts.
Together, we can build a cleaner, more sustainable future.

What is the Boulder Plastic Count?

Plastic is everywhere, and a lot of what we use every day can’t be recycled. To make a real difference, we need to know what kinds of plastic are most used in our community and how much we’re using. That’s where you come in.

We’re asking Boulder community members to track their plastic waste. Whether you’re an individual or part of a household, your participation will help us build a clearer picture of plastic use in our community.

Together, we’ll use the data to advocate for stronger local policies, reduce single-use plastics and support a more sustainable, circular Boulder.

Why are we doing this?

The Boulder Plastic Count is a community-wide effort to understand our plastic habits better. By tracking what we use, we can raise awareness, inform city policies and waste reduction programs and take collective steps toward a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Boulder.

How to Participate

  • Sign up – Register to join the count as an individual or household.
  • Receive your Plastic Tracker via email– Print it or use our digital form.
  • Track your plastic use for one week, from July 20 to 27 – Every piece counts: wrappers, bottles, containers, packaging and more.
  • Submit your results – Help us build Boulder’s plastic footprint.
  • Take action – Learn how to cut plastic use and get involved in local solutions.

Why Join?

  • Help shape local policy and waste reduction strategies
  • Discover how much plastic you really use
  • Get tips for low-waste living

Let’s count what really counts.

Together, we can build a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Boulder Plastic Count is a one-week community challenge to track how much plastic we use in our everyday lives. By collecting this data, we can better understand our plastic habits and identify ways to reduce waste across our community.

Most of the plastic we use is single-use, and much of it can’t get recycled. This pollutes our environment, impacts our health and contributes to climate change. By counting our plastic, we can:

  • Raise awareness about how much plastic we use
  • Inform city policy and local waste reduction efforts
  • Take collective steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable Boulder

Anyone who lives in Boulder! Whether you're an individual or part of a larger household, your data will make a difference.

You will receive a reminder email the week of July 6 that will include our tracking form and other important details.

Any plastic you use and throw away or recycle during the count week, including:

  • Food wrappers and packaging
  • Plastic bottles and containers
  • To-go cups, utensils and lids
  • Plastic bags
  • Any other single-use plastic items

Don’t worry— we will provide the tracking sheet and examples to make it easy!

Yes. Even if an item is recyclable or reusable, it’s still important to count it so we can see the full picture of plastic use in Boulder.

Just one week, July 20 to 27, during the official Boulder Plastic Count period.

No. This isn’t about guilt or perfection. It’s about awareness. The more accurate the tracking, the more useful the data will be for you and the community.

At the end of the week, you’ll enter your totals using our online form (we’ll email you a reminder and link!). If you’re using a printed tracker, you can also scan or take a photo and upload it.

Your data will create a snapshot of Boulder’s plastic footprint, help us advocate for waste-reducing solutions and inform future city programs. We’ll share the results with the community.