California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law banning plastic shopping bags at grocery store registers, marking a major step in the state’s environmental efforts.
California previously banned thin plastic bags, but consumers could still buy thicker bags advertised as reusable and recyclable. Under the new law, which goes into effect in 2026, shoppers who don’t have their own bags will only be offered paper alternatives.
State Sen. Katherine Breakspear, who sponsored the bill, noted that reuse and recycling rates for plastic shopping bags are shockingly low, citing a state study that found the average person will throw out 11 pounds (5 kilograms) of plastic shopping bags per year by 2021, up from 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) in 2004.
“We are literally choking the planet with plastic waste,” she said in February, as reported by the Associated Press.
Environmentalists praised Newsom’s decision, saying it would protect California’s coastlines, marine life and communities from single-use plastic bags. Christy Leavitt, plastics director at Oceana, said the ban strengthens California’s role as a leader in fighting the global plastic pollution crisis.
Twelve states currently have some form of statewide plastic bag ban, and many cities in 28 states have their own regulations, according to the Environmental America Research & Policy Center. California was the first to impose a statewide plastic bag ban in 2014, then won voter support in a 2016 ballot initiative.
The California Public Interest Research Group welcomed the new law, arguing it is consistent with the original intent of the 2014 ban. “Plastic bags pollute the environment, break down into microplastics that contaminate drinking water and threaten our health,” said Jen Engstrom, the group’s president.
“With the governor’s signature, California has finally implemented a total ban on plastic bags at grocery store checkouts,” Jen said, according to the Associated Press.
Notably, Newsom was mayor of San Francisco when he signed the nation’s first plastic bag ban in 2007.
