I stopped using plastic bags long before the ban. I also switched from the $40 bag swheat scoop to $6 bag wood stove pellets. Scoop into a small 5qt bucket then empty it into the garbage can in the garage. The wood pellets seemed to control any odors.

Sounds like you’re referring to the cheap clay litter? That was like cement. I would never put any type of cat litter into the toilet.

I used to do this 20 yrs ago only with plastic coffee containers. The problem with this method is the litter would never dry out. So opening it 3 to 4 times a day to clean the box meant you get hit with the smell.