EASTERN PLACER COUNTY, Calif. – A similar ordinance implemented in surrounding jurisdictions received mixed reviews from the Placer County Board of Supervisors at a meeting at the beginning of the month.

The board received a presentation and offered feedback on a potential plastic waste reduction ordinance for eastern Placer County on Feb. 3. The ordinance is similar to those passed within the last two years in the Town of Truckee and the City of South Lake Tahoe, centered around single-use plastic water bottles.

One intention with Placer’s potential ordinance is to create cohesion, close the gap and prevent individuals from hopping jurisdictions to buy water bottles in Lake Tahoe.

The potential ordinance would prohibit the sale and distribution of both plastic water bottles and paper cartons (due to plastic lining) under one gallon, not including sparking water or flavored beverages.

A restriction on the sale of polystyrene products (known as Styrofoam), which commonly comprises to-go food containers or Styrofoam coolers, would accompany the water bottle ban.

Another proposal is prohibiting the sale or provision of single-use plastic food ware, except when requested by the customer.

Staff proposed coupling a water-refill station program and promotion of reusable water bottles with the ban through Drink Tahoe Tap, Keep Tahoe Blue and other partners.

In conducting outreach with 60 businesses, county staff found overall support for such an ordinance and even some businesses already abiding by the principles. However, one contemplation is the economic impact to businesses since water bottles are a high-margin item.

While public comment was supportive of the idea, it wasn’t so unanimous among supervisors.

Supervisors Bonnie Gore and Anthony DeMattei expressed support for the intent and the environmental significance but opposed the idea of implementing restrictions on businesses and pointed to an educational approach instead. DeMattei added that businesses can continue to police themselves.

Questions from Supervisor Suzanne Jones revealed that aluminum can alternatives are more costly in manufacturing and shipping compared to the plastic counterpart. She emphasized the importance of messaging on the topic.

Supervisor Cindy Gustafson was the major puller for ordinance on the board, noting that if businesses are a concern for her colleagues she would like staff to conduct further outreach and better document responses since sentiment so far was in support from businesses.

She also requested staff note the type of ownership of each business, whether local or corporate, saying, “I don’t represent the major corporations that are based outside of this area that fight it for corporate reasons.”

She expressed how challenging is was to hear the conversation from her colleagues because of how many regulations are already placed on businesses and how aligned this ordinance is with the culture of the community it would apply to.

Gustafson also said there is a difference when it comes to setting a tone with an ordinance versus education, particularly for large corporations.

Supervisor and Chair Shanti Landon provided a middle ground, hesitant to restrict freedoms but also understanding that Tahoe is different. She expressed interest in continuing the conversation and informed county staff that she would like to see more data from a poll the county is conducting. She also asked staff to research similar ordinance outcomes in jurisdictions that implemented it more than one year ago.

The item was brought forward for feedback only and no formal action was taken on the proposal. County staff will review the feedback and may bring back a formal ordinance.

It’s unclear exactly when an ordinance could come before the board, but within the presentation, staff posed a potential ordinance reading this spring with target implementation early 2027 if passed.