Ukiah to ban plastic bags

The Ukiah City Council Wednesday night unanimously voted to prohibit disposable plastic shopping bags, the first such ban in Mendocino or Sonoma counties.

"I'm thrilled we're at this point," said Ukiah Mayor Mary Anne Landis.

Efforts are underway worldwide to ban the plastic bags, which critics say litter the environment, clog pipes and create deadly hazards for wildlife. San Francisco and Marin counties have adopted ordinances. Officials in Sonoma and Humboldt counties are discussing potential bag bans.

Ukiah's ordinance will go into effect six months after its final adoption, scheduled for May 2.

It is tied to Mendocino County supervisors adopting a similar ordinance, which they're expected to do next month. Officials linked the bans in an effort to avoid giving a competitive edge to stores just inside or outside of the Ukiah city limits.

The ban will prohibit stores from handing out plastic, single-use carryout bags. They may instead provide customers with recycled paper bags or reusable bags, but must charge at least 10 cents per bag. The charge is expected to nudge consumers to carry their own, reusable bags when they shop.

Large grocery stores and chain pharmacies will be the first to be affected. All other stores will have an additional year to comply.

Ukiah's ordinance does not include take-out restaurants. Plastic bag industry officials have sued San Francisco over banning plastic bags in restaurants, contending only the state has the authority to regulate those businesses.

Ukiah officials indicated Wednesday they'll add restaurants to their ordinance should San Francisco win the court battle.