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

Interactive map to serve as tool for consumers committed to creating less plastic waste.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – For consumers who want to put their money where their heart is, Cuyahoga County has launched a new interactive map celebrating retailers who have eliminated plastic checkout bags from their stores.

The Sustainable Stores map is part of a larger county initiative to support retailers’ efforts to eliminate plastic checkout bags from their operations and establish a Bring Your Own Bags consumer culture for all shopping trips in Cuyahoga County.

The map is populated by retailers such as Giant Eagle, CVS, Cleveland Clothing Co., Heights Hardware Store, and many others.

Businesses that received funding through the County’s Sustainable Stores Grant Program are also featured on the map—31 locally owned stores were awarded a combined $130,000 in grants earlier this year. Based on their grant funding, these stores are currently implementing initiatives to eliminate plastic checkout bags from their business operations.

“Roughly 319 million plastic checkout bags are used annually in Cuyahoga County—and 99% of them end up in the landfill or become litter. Both retailers and consumers can be part of the solution,” said County Executive Chris Ronayne. “This map is designed to serve as a resource for shoppers who want to reduce plastic waste and protect our environment. I look forward to seeing how this program grows, as we see more stores transition away from single-use plastics.”

The Sustainable Stores map will be continuously updated, and the County is encouraging residents and retailers to add stores to the map that do not provide plastic checkout bags by filling out a short online form. Submissions will be confirmed by the County’s Department of Sustainability for inclusion on the map.

BYOBags campaign photo gallery