County Approves Grace Period on Enforcement of Plastic Bag Ban

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Cuyahoga County has announced six-month grace period to all retailers on enforcement of its proposed ban on retail plastic bags, which is due to take effect Jan 1, 2020.

County Councilwoman Sunny Simon state that the County will work with retailers to implement the ban, by meeting with them. It also plans to launch a series of public awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public on the need to shed single-use plastic bags. In addition to massive social media campaigns, representatives will lead such campaigns at community meetings. The County plans to give out 25,000 reusable bags to residents.

ALSO READ: Cuyahoga County Council Pushed Legislation Banning Plastic Bags

Also, a reusable bag drive will be launched, in partnership with Goodwill, the Salvation Army and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries. This will allow residents to donate their extra bags, which in turn will be washed and cleaned and handed over to people who are in need of them.

The grace period is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition period for both retailers and consumers and to enable the County in developing a thoughtful implementation plan. No warnings or penalties will be issued until at least July 2020, she added. Meantime, the County has not consulted Cleveland about the grace period.

It must be noted that an Ohio legislation that pre-empts local governments from banning or taxing single-use plastic bags is awaiting House approval.