In two months, Edmonds will officially ban all single-use plastic bags in retail establishments. To remind citizens and retailers of the upcoming change, and to encourage shoppers to start bringing their own bags, the City of Edmonds website is highlighting the winners of a recent poster contest for students in grades 7-12.

“Carry Our World to a Better Future,” by Edmonds-Woodway High School student Amanda Rengli, was the winning design in the “Bring Your Own Bag for a Better Environment” contest. Second place winner was Katy Olson, also of Edmonds-Woodway. Third place went to Blaine Palmer of Meadowdale High School. Over 40 entries were received, with cash prizes were awarded to the top three winners. In addition, gift certificates to Nama’s Candy Store were presented to 10 honorable mention winners.

To see all entries, click here.

The bag ban takes effect on Aug. 27, exactly one year after the Edmonds City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3749, which requires all retail establishments to comply by the first anniversary. The ordinance promotes reusable bags as the best option for checkout bags and calls for an educational program to encourage the use of reusable bags.

The City of Edmonds posted the following simple steps you can take right now to help with the Bring Your Own Bag campaign.

At home

• Find uses around the house for reusing plastic and paper bags, such as lining your trash can or carrying your lunch to school or work.
• If you have plastic or paper shopping bags that you cannot reuse, recycle them instead of throwing them in the trash.
• Keep your reusable shopping bags in a location where you will remember them as you leave the house, or keep them in your car so you always have them with you.
• Challenge yourself to go at least one week without accumulating any new single-use bags at home.

At the store

• Don’t forget your reusable bags in the car! Use whatever type of reminder works best for you to make sure you grab your reusable bags on your way into the store.
• Bring one or two more reusable bags with you into the store than you think you’ll need just in case you buy more items than planned.
• If you forget your reusable bags or don’t have enough, ask the sales person for a paper bag or purchase a reusable bag from the establishment.
• Think twice about having the retailer provide you with a single-use bag if your purchase is small and easy to carry. If you’re buying more items than you can carry without a bag, ask the retailer to use as few bags as possible.
• Avoid using single-use plastic bags as much as possible!

Most importantly, be a role model to others for using reusable bags. It may only seem like you’re saving a few bags here and there, but for every additional person who uses reusable bags, it all adds up to making a better environment.