In the midst of the current environmental crisis, several communities have been making strides in reducing plastic bag waste. Cuyahoga County has been a pioneer in the state of Ohio with its single-use plastic bag ban. According to Cleveland.com, this ban prohibits the use of plastic bags and paper bags that are not 100% recyclable or made from at least 40% recycled material. 

While the plastic bag ban officially went into effect on Jan. 1, Cuyahoga County has legally postponed the enforcement of the plastic bag ban until July 1 in order to accommodate retailers who have requested more time to prepare for this change. Despite this delay, Cuyahoga County still plays a key role in the fight for sustainability.

Despite Cuyahoga County’s efforts, the state of Ohio is attempting to derail their cause through a state bill that forbids local governments from banning single-use plastic bags. Retailers, particularly grocery stores, are among the bill’s top supporters, according to Cleveland.com.

Through this legislation, the State of Ohio is misusing its power in order to counteract Cuyahoga County’s significant environmental initiative for the sake of retailer and customer convenience. We question the state of Ohio’s decision to interfere in local municipalities, especially in light of the grim environmental situation.