Park Ridge considers ban on plastic grocery bags at large stores.

Park Ridge city leaders revisited a proposal to prohibit single-use plastic grocery bags at stores 7,500 square feet or larger, a measure under discussion since last summer. The council is expected to decide next month or in March and has asked staff to present ordinance text.

Park Ridge officials revisited a proposal to restrict single-use plastic grocery bags at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting. The idea has been under discussion since last summer and leaders generally agreed to focus the rule on stores 7,500 square feet or larger. Supporters at the meeting included several residents and the chair of the Sustainability Commission, who raised concerns about microplastics and wastewater treatment limits. City staff said a formal ordinance has not been introduced and the council is expected to take a decision next month or in March. Key points: - City leaders generally agreed on banning point-of-sale plastic grocery bags at stores 7,500 square feet or larger. - The proposed ban would not apply to deli or produce bags, and paper bags would not be affected. - Nine Park Ridge stores would be affected, including the city’s grocery stores plus Walgreens, Ace Hardware, and Wheel and Sprocket. - City staff reported outreach to major supermarkets produced no response, while some smaller retailers expressed support. - A city planner said store management requested up to a six-month rollout period, and staff explained the draft ordinance would prohibit plastic bags rather than impose a fee. Summary: The proposal would remove single-use plastic grocery bags at larger retailers while leaving deli, produce and paper bags unchanged. The council has asked staff to bring ordinance text forward and is expected to decide next month or in March. Further details on final language and timing will be determined by the council during that process.