Yampa Valley Recycles (YVR) in partnership with Routt County and the City of Steamboat Springs is championing a community wide opportunity to "keep our mountains green" by reducing the use of plastic shopping bags. Plastic bags cause significant environmental damage, including harm to wildlife, combined with soil, water and air contamination. In addition, plastic bags take up to 1000 years to decompose and are a large percentage of overall litter.

YVR is offering local merchants and businesses the opportunity to purchase and resell reusable shopping bags. The reusable polypropylene bags are washable, water-resistant and hold the equivalent of 3-4 plastic bags. The green bags are designed with the Yampa Valley Recycles scenic logo on one side and a "keep our mountains green" logo on the other side, donated by Joanne Tucker.

Any Routt County resident can purchase a "Green Bag" at Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association.