Council approves city application to Ohio EPA for Recycle Ohio grant and seeks to form Keep Cleveland Beautiful chapter

Council approved legislation allowing the director of Public Works to apply for and accept a $61,006.50 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency under the Recycle Ohio program and to enter contracts for materials, equipment and services to implement recycling and community outreach. The ordinance also authorizes a local agreement with Keep America Beautiful to establish a local Keep Cleveland Beautiful chapter.

Public Works staff described the grant as requiring a cash match of about $12,000 and said funds will be used to purchase recycling materials and to help establish the local chapter of the national Keep America Beautiful network. Administration said the program is intended to increase recycling awareness and operations in the city.

Council members asked practical questions about whether the city could accept certain materials for recycling, such as plastic film and bags. Public Works staff explained that single‑stream recycling used by the city's vendors makes recycling plastic film difficult at the materials‑recovery facilities. Staff recommended that residents continue to use retail drop‑off locations (for example grocery stores that accept plastic bags) for film plastics.

What’s next: the ordinance was approved in committee. Staff said they would provide contact information and program details to councilmembers to help residents find drop‑off locations and reduce confusion.