Corvallis has become the second city in Oregon to curtail plastic bags.
Plastic bags (file photo).
Rebecca Roberts Galloway / OPB
The City Council gave its final approval Monday night to ban single-use plastic bags at retail outlets. It was by a unanimous vote.
Portland has already adopted a retail bags ban. Other cities, including Eugene, are studying the idea.
The Corvallis Gazette-Times reported that the new ordinance requires businesses to impose a pass-through fee of 5 cents or more on paper grocery bags to encourage consumers to use reusable bags.
Businesses with more than 50 employees have six months to phase out plastic bags. Smaller businesses have a year.
Violators face a minimum $200 fine.
The law doesn't cover bags for wrapping meat, produce or bulk food items. Bars and restaurants are exempt, as are pharmacy prescription bags.
