Free bag of mulch coming our way

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is reminding consumers that they can get a rebate coupon for one free bag of mulch for purchases made between May 1 and 17 under a settlement with Ohio Mulch Supply Inc.

“Our settlement addressed concerns that some bags of mulch were under-filled last year. Under our settlement, Ohio Mulch agreed to implement new quality-control procedures and allow consumers to get one free bag of mulch this spring,” DeWine said in a news release.

According to the agreement, Ohio Mulch will issue rebate coupons for one free 2-cubic-foot bag of Ohio Mulch-manufactured mulch product for purchases made between May 1 and 17 at Ohio Mulch retail stores or other third-party retailers.

The rebate coupons will be available on Ohio Mulch’s website from April 30 to May 17, and in print and online in The Vindicator, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Toledo Blade, Dayton Daily News, Columbus Dispatch, Akron Beacon Journal, and Cincinnati Enquirer the weekends of May 2, 9 and 16.

After purchasing the mulch, consumers must submit the rebate coupon and proof of purchase online or via a rebate mailing address in order to receive the rebate amount. No additional purchase is required to get the free bag of mulch.

There is a limit of one bag per household.

Ohio Mulch Supply Inc. is a Columbus-based corporation that sells mulch and soil products across the state and region.

Between March and May 2014, the Ohio Department of Agriculture found some bags of Ohio Mulch product did not contain the amount represented. Ohio Mulch attributed the shortages to a problem with its bagging machine.

The attorney general’s office opened an investigation to review possible violations of the state’s consumer-protection laws. The investigation concluded with a settlement in which Ohio Mulch agreed to implement quality-assurance procedures to prevent the problem from recurring.