Columbus, Ohio, opts for plastic bag recycling program

The city of Columbus, Ohio, has postponed adopting a plastics shopping bag ban or fee and instead will observe the merits of a pilot bag recycling program.

An online article by Columbus Business First says the city’s mayor had previously recommended a ban or a surcharge.

Instead, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) will work with a coalition of retailers to collect and recycle more bags.

The Ohio Grocers Association also reportedly will support the pilot program and will help apply for an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to help fund the program.

“The pilot is scheduled to start in early 2016,” reports Columbus Business First, and “if successful, the city wants to scale it to more Central Ohio businesses.”

Among the retailers reportedly taking part are grocery stores run by Kroger Co. and Giant Eagle.