Lake County has been selected to receive an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo), recognizing its policy to prohibit single-use plastics within government operations. The NACo Achievement Awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

Approximately one million single-use plastics will be eliminated from Lake County government operations this year as part of the new policy, which went into effect at the start of 2023. The policy ceases single-use plastics from being purchased, sold, or distributed within county government operations, including the cafeteria, coffee kiosk, and vending machines. 

This consists of 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.

The new policy applies only to what Lake County government can purchase and sell and does not apply to Lake County businesses and residents. Plastics can still be brought to Lake County government facilities by the public and employees.