California Governor Bans Plastic Shopping Bags at Grocery Stores

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has taken a significant step toward reducing plastic waste by implementing a statewide ban on all plastic shopping bags. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the new law on Sunday, bringing an end to the familiar grocery store question: “Paper or plastic?”

This latest legislation builds upon a previous ban on thinner plastic bags, which was enacted throughout supermarkets and other retail outlets. However, shoppers had the option to buy thicker plastic bags that were marketed as reusable and recyclable.

Starting in 2026, the new law will eliminate all plastic shopping bags in California. Customers who forget to bring their own reusable bags will only have the option of a paper bag at checkout.

State Senator Catherine Blakespear, an advocate for the bill, stated that previous efforts to promote recycling and reuse of plastic bags had failed. A study highlighted that the average person discarded an increased volume of plastic bags, rising from 8 pounds annually in 2004 to 11 pounds by 2021.

Blakespear, a Democrat from Encinitas, pointed out that the earlier ban from ten years ago did not significantly decrease overall plastic consumption. “We are literally choking our planet with plastic waste,” she remarked during discussions about the bill in February.

The environmental organization Oceana praised the governor for this decisive action. They emphasized that the ban will help protect California’s coastline, marine life, and local communities from single-use plastic waste.

Christy Leavitt, Oceana’s plastics campaign director, remarked that this legislation solidifies California’s role as a pioneer in addressing global plastic pollution challenges. Their support highlights the importance of local action on a critical environmental issue.

California is now one of twelve states with some form of statewide plastic bag ban, as noted by the environmental advocacy group Environment America Research & Policy Center. In addition, numerous cities in 28 states have implemented their own restrictions on plastic bags.

The original statewide plastic bag ban in California was enacted in 2014 and later confirmed by voters through a referendum in 2016. However, groups such as the California Public Interest Research Group believe the new law finally addresses the shortcomings of the initial legislation.

Jenn Engstrom, the group’s director, stated, “Plastic bags create pollution in our environment and break into microplastics that contaminate our drinking water and threaten our health.” She emphasized how important it was for Californians to push for a more effective ban nearly a decade ago, and she expressed satisfaction with the governor’s recent decision to put an end to plastic bags in grocery checkout lanes permanently.

It is notable that Governor Newsom had previously signed the nation’s first plastic bag ban as the mayor of San Francisco in 2007. This new legislation marks his continued commitment to environmental reform and addressing plastic pollution in a state that is known for its ecological advocacy.

As California gears up for this monumental shift in how shopping is conducted, many are hopeful this ban will significantly lessen the impact of plastic waste in the environment and encourage more sustainable practices among consumers.