The Napa County Board of Supervisors approves a ban on plastic carryout bags in unincorporated areas starting next year.
The move closes a loophole that allowed thicker bags marketed as reusable and aligns county rules with a forthcoming state law. Retailers must use up existing plastic bags before the ban takes effect and can then offer paper bags with at least 50 percent recycled content, charging ten cents per bag.
Businesses that violate the ordinance could face fines starting at one-thousand-dollars per day, increasing to five-thousand-dollars for repeated offenses.
Supervisors also updated a separate ordinance requiring food providers to use reusable or compostable food ware and accessories.
