Strongsville Opts Out of Plastic Bag Ban

City Council voted Jan. 6 to opt out of Cuyahoga County's ban on plastic bags at store registers this year, meaning that when the county starts enforcing the measure in July, retailers in Strongsville won't have to comply. 
In the meantime, the city's administration has formed a task force to look into the issue of single-use plastic bags and how to best address it.
"We'll be meeting with the retail community to review the current practices and talk about innovative options for the future," said Economic Development Director Brent Painter, who will head the task force along with Law Director Neal Jamison and Jennifer Milbrandt, the city's coordinator of natural resources.
The task force has until the end of the year, if necessary, to present a plan. 
The city of Cleveland has also opted out of the ban in favor of coming up with its own plan.
The county's ban went into effect Jan. 1, but the county pushed back enforcement until July 1. Many stores are taking advantage of the grace period.
Giant Eagle, however, has voluntarily removed plastic bags from most of its stores in Cuyahoga County, including the Market District in Strongsville.
Other communities, including North Royalton, are also considering opting out of the county's ban. And the Ohio legislature is also looking at the issue. In December, the Ohio House passed a bill that would prevent local governments from banning single-use plastics. The measure is to now go before the Ohio Senate.