Lake County To Eliminate 1 Million Single-Use Plastics From Operations

LAKE COUNTY, IL — No, the government isn't coming for your plastic, but it is getting rid of its own. Lake County officials announced Wednesday a goal of eliminating approximately one million single-use plastics from government operations in 2023.

The move is part of a new policy to promote sustainability and supporting the environment, according to a news release. The policy went into effect in January, effectively ceasing single-use plastics from being purchased, sold, or distributed within county government operations, including the cafeteria, coffee kiosk, and vending machines.

"It is shocking how many single-use plastics we use each day without even thinking about it, said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart said in a statement. "We are preventing one million plastic items per year from being sent to landfills that could take hundreds of years to break down. And all it took was one policy."

Single-use plastics associated with service ware for eating and drinking, such as cutlery, coated paper plates, beverage bottles, to-go containers, lids, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, shopping or storage bags, and plastic wrap are among the items no longer being used in government buildings.

Officials stress that the new policy only applies to what Lake County government can purchase and sell. It does not apply to Lake County businesses and residents, as plastics can still be brought to government facilities by the public and employees.

According to the news release, aluminum cans have replaced single-use plastic bottles in vending machines in some Lake County government buildings. Officials have removed vending machines containing single use plastic-wrapped items.

In addition, Lake County has entered into a trial contract with a company that installs refrigerated self-serve vending machines for use by the public. These machines provide fresh, healthy meal options in reusable, recyclable containers.