Finance and Administration News
An Athens city ordinance to restrict the use of plastic bags in restaurants and businesses went into effect Jan. 1.
Athens City Council passed the ordinance April 3, 2023 according to a previous report.
Councilmember Alan Swank, D-4th Ward, said every establishment he has visited since the ordinance went into effect has been using alternatives to plastic bags.
“CVS, Seaman’s, Kroger, Walmart, Aldi, Kindred Market, College Book Store, Ace Hardware; Those are all places that are using regular old paper bags,” he said.
Swank said before the ordinance passed, there were some objections to switching from single-use plastic bags, and he said he expected there to be pushback. With the ordinance in effect, he said he thinks people are already starting to acclimate to the new rule.