Bozeman Votes to Ban Single-Use Plastics
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Big changes are coming to Bozeman after voters said yes to a ban on single-use plastics. The new law, called the Bozeman Plastics Ordinance, passed with 63% of the vote on Election Day. Over 18,800 people voted for it, while about 10,800 voted against.
Starting May 1, 2025, businesses won’t be allowed to hand out single-use plastic bags, styrofoam containers, or packing materials. Plastic straws and stirrers will only be available if customers ask for them. The city will also roll out educational programs to remind people to bring reusable bags, and violators could face fines—$1,000 for the first time and $2,000 for repeat offenses.
City officials are still working out the details. Takami Clark, a city spokesperson, said they’re researching how to enforce the ban and what it will cost. She promised more updates as the start date gets closer.
Local grocery stores are already thinking about what’s next. Town and Country Foods (TNC), which has three stores in Bozeman, plans to make changes after the holidays. President Travis Frandsen said the ban means ditching plastic bags, deli containers, and cutlery. TNC will focus on using cardboard boxes and encouraging reusable bags instead of switching fully to paper bags, which could drive up costs.
“We’ll know more once we get into 2025,” Frandsen said. “But since so many people voted for it, we think it’ll be less of a headache than we first thought.”
At the Bozeman Co-op, General Manager Rory Sandoval is already ahead of the curve. The co-op stopped using plastic bags over a decade ago and uses compostable containers and cutlery. Sandoval hopes other stores will follow their lead.
But not everyone is thrilled. Critics, like Chris Cargill from the Mountain States Policy Center, believe the ban could face legal challenges. He says the fines might go beyond what Montana law allows and could unfairly punish landlords if their tenants break the rules. Cargill also questioned whether banning plastics will really help the environment, citing studies showing people often buy small trash bags to replace banned plastic ones.
John Meyer, from the Cottonwood Environmental Law Center, calls these complaints “the usual squawking.” His group helped push the ban onto the ballot and even won a lawsuit to make it possible. Meyer says the broad language of the law lets the city decide how best to enforce it.
“This is going to change how things work in Bozeman,” Meyer said. “People don’t like change, but it’s necessary.”
He added that the overwhelming voter support makes legal challenges less likely. The passage, he says, is a “beacon of hope” for environmentalists and could inspire other cities to take similar steps.
For now, Bozeman is gearing up for the big switch. Whether it’s cardboard boxes, compostable forks, or reusable bags, the city is ready to lead the way in reducing plastic waste.
