News

Oct 14, 2024

California plastic ban update

In one of his last acts of the legislative season, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that effectively bans all single-use plastic bags at the point of sale, closing a loophole that

In one of his last acts of the legislative season, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that effectively bans all single-use plastic bags at the point of sale, closing a loophole that allowed the distribution of thick, reusable plastic bags in the original 2014 bill.

“I thank Governor Newsom for signing this important legislation that will help protect California’s environment,” said Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-San Diego, co-sponsor of SB-1053 in a statement. “Instead of being asked do you want paper or plastic at checkout, consumers will simply be asked if they want a paper bag, if they haven’t brought a reusable bag. This straightforward approach is easy to follow and will help dramatically reduce plastic bag pollution.”

California was the first state in the nation to introduce a ban on single-use plastic bags when it passed the state legislature in 2014. A statewide ballot initiative codified the ban into California law when Proposition 67 passed in 2016. However, the new law included a loophole allowing the distribution of thick, reusable plastic bags, for a fee.

The previous bill "allowed stores to sell customers thicker plastic carryout bags that were considered reusable and met certain recyclability standards," according to Sen. Blakespear. "However, the truth is almost none of those bags are reused or recycled, and they end up in landfills or polluting the environment."

According to CalRecycle, the amount of grocery and merchandise bags disposed by Californians grew from 157,385 tons of plastic bags the year California passed the bag ban to 231,072 tons by 2022 – a 47% increase.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, customers in California will no longer be given a choice between paper or plastic at the check-out.

Only non-plastic reusable grocery bags or recycled paper bags will be offered, according to the California Grocers Association, which endorsed the bill, and reusable bags must meet certain requirements such as being made of washable material.

Paper bags must also be made of at least 50% recycled content. Customers can get an approved paper bag for a fee, but are free to WIC and SNAP customers.

Grocers like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's already only offer paper bags.