When local residents of Athens sought a city-wide effort to reduce plastic waste through the elimination of single-use plastic bags, it was guided by thoughtfulness, scientific research and a deep commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community. It was also rooted in our democratic right to pass our own laws, known as “home rule” in Ohio’s constitution — a right that was challenged in a lawsuit filed by the State of Ohio a mere five days before the ordinance would take effect on January 1 of this year.
As the city of Athens disputes the state’s lawsuit, their efforts represent yet another real-time exercise in democracy in Ohio, one that began long before City Council representative Alan Swank introduced the ordinance in March of 2023.
On May 1, 2023, Athens City Council voted in favor of the single-use plastic bag ordinance. Those who wrote it integrated guidance from the Ohio Revised Code, case studies and reports of the importance and positive impacts of reducing plastic waste, as well as the city’s own Sustainability Action Plan. Though originally set to go into effect August 1, 2023, it was pushed back to January 1, 2024 to offer time for local businesses and residents to prepare.
But alongside overwhelming community support, some local businesses and residents have expressed opposition to the ordinance.
In the absence of incentives and alternatives, it can be difficult to adopt changes. The extra cost to businesses and customers for paper bags is not lost on those in favor of the ordinance. At the same time, many residents and business owners recognize the irony of “cheap” single-use plastics that pollute our land and drinking water with microplastics while exposing people to harmful chemicals like polyethylene — suspected to cause cancer in people.
But creative solutions to this challenge are numerous. Community organizations like Athens ReThink Plastics are providing outreach and distributing free, locally-made, upcycled bags for residents. Businesses like Dollar Tree offered free reusable bags to customers in the weeks before the ordinance took effect. Many local stores keep numerous emptied shipping boxes for customers to reuse, which can then be burned in the wood stove or recycled.
The intention to emphasize the ordinance’s benefits and avoid causing “irreparable harm” continues; since its enactment, the city has not issued any citations or fines for non-compliance, only providing education for those struggling with the transition.
In spite of the science and intention with which the ordinance has been introduced and enacted, the Ohio Attorney General’s lawsuit challenging the plastic bag ban is simply an attempt to stop our community from using its home rule powers to self-govern and protect its residents from the harms of plastics.
While the state can develop generalized laws for the welfare of the people of our state — and there are moments where such statewide regulation is certainly necessary — the Ohio General Assembly has not created a statewide program to address plastic bags.
Fortunately, communities like Athens can make their own choices regarding single-use plastics. The city deserves our support in its fight to uphold its democratically decided policy around plastic pollution.
Our community is taking it upon ourselves to understand the health impacts of plastic pollution on current and future generations. Last year, students at Solid Ground School engaged in a microplastics study on their Dover Township campus. Their findings suggest that taking steps to eliminate plastic pollution in our community is something we owe our children and grandchildren.
Across the country, citizens are fighting to address and reduce harms facing our communities and ecosystems as a result of the plastics industry. Here in Ohio, the oil and gas industry holds great power over decision-makers. Though the burden ought not to be shouldered by small businesses and families, it is a strong act of democracy to choose our long-term health over the short-term conveniences we’ve been promised with the allure of single-use plastics. And that is worth fighting for.
Molly Jo Stanley
Athens, Ohio
