California has taken a bold move to combat plastic pollution by enacting a comprehensive ban on plastic shopping bags. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law, which will eliminate the option of plastic bags at grocery store checkouts starting in 2026. Shoppers will now need to bring their own reusable bags or opt for paper alternatives.
State Senator Catherine Blakespear, a key supporter of the legislation, highlighted the low rates of reuse and recycling for plastic bags. A state study revealed that by 2021, the average Californian was discarding 11 pounds of plastic bags annually, a worrying increase from previous years.
Environmental advocates have applauded the decision, with many emphasizing the law’s potential to protect California’s coastlines and marine life. Christy Leavitt from Oceana praised the ban as a significant step in the global fight against plastic pollution.
This law is an extension of California’s original 2014 statewide ban on thin plastic bags, which was further solidified by a 2016 referendum. The new legislation closes the loophole that allowed thicker plastic bags, marketed as recyclable, to remain in circulation.
According to Jenn Engstrom from the California Public Interest Research Group, plastic bags break down into microplastics, contaminating drinking water and posing serious health threats. She praised the new law for finally aligning with the original intent of the 2014 ban.
Governor Newsom, who also signed the nation’s first plastic bag ban as San Francisco’s mayor in 2007, continues to lead California’s environmental initiatives with this landmark legislation.