Media contact:  
Mary Louise Madigan: (216) 698-2521; mlmadigan@cuyahogacounty.us\

Retailers Can Apply for Grants of Up to $5,000 to Help Eliminate Plastic Checkout Bags Through March 15

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – The Cuyahoga County Departments of Consumer Affairs and Sustainability, with support from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, invite retailers to apply for the Sustainable Store Grant, developed to help local retailers be more environmentally sustainable and comply with the parameters of the Disposable Bag Ban in effect since January 16, 2022.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available to:

• Support retailers’ efforts to eliminate plastic checkout bags from their operations;
• Educate consumers and retailers about the County’s Disposable Bag Ban; and
• Establish a consumer culture of reusable woven bag use for all shopping trips in Cuyahoga County.
  

Locally owned, independent, employee-owned or franchise retail stores located in Cuyahoga County can apply for the Sustainable Store Grant. This includes convenience, grocery, supermarket, service station, drug stores and shops. International and national chain stores are not eligible for these grant funds.

“We’re trying to make it easier for stores to eliminate plastic bags,” said Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Sunny Simon. “It’s our hope that this seed money gives businesses a good start on a long-term strategy to fade out plastic bags indefinitely. And the County is prepared to support and promote those efforts over time. We’ve made a huge effort to listen and learn. We believe working together, we can tackle the negative impact of plastic on our environment.”

Preference will be given to stores located within designated Equity Zones in Cuyahoga County, but all stores within the county are encouraged to apply. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, according to the evaluation criteria on the BYOBags website. The Cuyahoga County Plastic Bag Advisory Group will have final approval of awards.

Grant applications are due on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 by 4:00 p.m. and can be found on the BYOBags website.