County to Implement Plastic Bag Ban This Year

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The previously proposed ban on disposable single-use plastic bags will come into effect this month in Cuyahoga County. The ban will be implemented upon expiry of the one-year moratorium on local bans on plastic bags and other disposable containers by Gov. Mike DeWine. Reportedly, the County is working on the details of implementation of the ban.

County Councilwoman Sunny Simon, who is also the sponsor of the ordinance, said that it is going forward with a program to reinstate the ban. The County has already started getting a team ready to start working on a possible date of implementation.

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The Cuyahoga City Council had approved the legislation seeking the ban in May 2019. Originally supposed to take effect in October 2019, the date of implementation was further pushed to Jan 1, 2020, so as to allow retailers to adjust. However, the ban was pre-empted by an Ohio House bill during the pandemic time.

The ordinance bans plastic and paper bags that are not 100% recyclable or are not made from at least 40% recycled material. Meantime, the bags for restaurant takeaway, newspaper, laundry, meat, pet waste, prescriptions and hazardous chemicals are exempted from the ban.

The first-time violators of the ban will be provided a written warning. Second violation will attract a fine of $100, which will go up to $500 for subsequent violations.