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Sustainable Stores Grant for Retail Communities Overview
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Friday, June 28, 2024.
The Cuyahoga County Departments of Sustainability and Consumer Affairs, with support from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, invite municipalities, chambers of commerce and non-profits to apply for up to $8,000 to eliminate the use of plastic checkout bags in their community.
The goal of this program is to eliminate plastic bags from retailer checkouts and establish a consumer culture in Cuyahoga County that uses reusable woven bags for all shopping trips.
- All applications, regardless of project scope, must include a plan to phase out plastic checkout bags at a minimum of three participating retailers.
- At least one documented planning meeting with retailers/food pantry operators must take place in the project development phase.
- Projects must include distribution of reusable bags in at least three retail stores or choice food pantries.
- The County will provide BYOBags signage, digital toolkit and support staff to participate in group meetings, presentations, and in-store events upon invitation.
Grants of up to $8,000 are available to:
- Support retailer efforts to eliminate plastic checkout bags from the checkout;
- Educate consumers and retailers about the Bring Your Own Bags strategy to reduce plastic waste;
- Distribute reusable bags in retail environments.
Who Can Apply
- Municipalities, chambers of commerce and non-profits in partnership with a minimum of three retail stores of any type (convenience, grocery, supermarkets, shops, service stations and drug stores) or choice food pantries.
- Participating retailers/food pantries must operate in a physical/brick and mortar store location in Cuyahoga County that is open to the public.
- “Choice” food pantries are those that allow customers to select their food items, rather than those that provide pre-bagged/boxed food.
- Preference is given to projects that include retailers located in designated Equity Zones in Cuyahoga County, but all communities within the county are encouraged to apply.
- A “community” project does not have to be focused one specific geographic area, but does need to have a clear connection among the participating retail/pantry locations.
- Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, according to the evaluation criteria on the Sustainable Stores Grant Details page.
- This is a reimbursement grant, so applicants should be prepared to pay for their project, document incurred expenses, and request reimbursement from the County upon completion.
- All grants are capped at $8,000 per applicant/community
- Any additional project costs over the grant award amount are the responsibility of the business.
Participation Benefits
- Participating retailers and organizations will be encouraged to take advantage of a free consultation with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District’s Business Services staff to identify opportunities to increase sustainability strategies and save money by reducing waste.
- Retailers will be included on the Sustainable Stores Map which celebrates and promotes retailers who have eliminated plastic checkout bags from their stores. Retailers will be included on this map as long as their business remains plastic bag free.
- Communities can use this opportunity to launch or add to their sustainability efforts, but also to promote local retailers, and enhance their community brand.
- This project grant is intended to be a retailer/food pantry engagement tool designed to encourage and support collaboration within communities.