Palo Alto has voted to ban plastic carryout bags at supermarkets beginning Sept. 18, but the Save the Plastic Bag Coalition says it will challenge the ban in court, just as the group did in February in Manhattan Beach, Calif.
The coalition said that Palo Alto officials did not conduct an environmental-impact review before enacting the ban, as required by state law.
Pharmacies and convenience stores are not subject to the ban. However, the city is investigating whether it should extend the law to all stores and restaurants.
It also is looking into placing a fee on paper bags to steer shoppers toward reusable bags.
Three supermarkets in Palo Alto currently do not provide shoppers with plastic bags.
