Louisville's Single-Use Items: The Rules That Matter

If you live in Louisville or are thinking about moving there, single-use items are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Louisville has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of single-use items, and some of them might surprise you.

Plastic Bag Rules

Kentucky's KRS §65.067 partially preempts local plastic bag bans, prohibiting cities from banning auxiliary containers based on material. Louisville Metro cannot enact a plastic bag ban or fee on retailers under current state law.

Key details: Preemption statute: KRS § 65.067. Adopted: 2021 HB 332. Local ban allowed?: No. Voluntary programs: Permitted.

Because Louisville cannot enforce a bag ban, there are no local penalties on retailers; any inconsistent ordinance would be void under KRS § 65.067 preemption.

Louisville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to plastic bag rules. That said, there are still limits.

Polystyrene Foam Rules

Kentucky's KRS §65.067 preempts local bans on polystyrene foam takeout containers. Louisville Metro cannot prohibit foam cups or clamshells, though state and federal solid-waste rules still apply to disposal.

Key details: Local ban allowed?: No, preempted. Statute: KRS § 65.067. Curbside recycle?: Not accepted. Disposal rules apply: Metro Ch. 51.

No local ban exists, so there are no Louisville penalties for using polystyrene; ordinary littering and illegal dumping rules under Chapter 51 still apply to careless disposal.

The rules around polystyrene foam rules in Louisville lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Plastic Straw Rules

Louisville cannot mandate straws-on-request or ban plastic straws under KRS §65.067 preemption. Restaurants may voluntarily switch to paper or compostable alternatives but face no Metro requirement.

Key details: Local rule allowed?: No, preempted. Statute: KRS § 65.067. ADA access: Required for patrons. Voluntary swap: Allowed and encouraged.

There are no Metro penalties for offering or not offering plastic straws. Standard litter and dumping rules under Louisville Metro Code Chapter 51 still apply to careless disposal.

Louisville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to plastic straw rules. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Louisville gives residents more room on single-use items. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Louisville can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.