May 16, 2025
  • Hartford
  • Bridgeport
  • New Haven
  • Stamford
  • UConn
  • Login
  • Register
CT News Buzz Logo
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Local News
  • Weather
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Health & Wellness
  • Entertainment & Lifestyle
  • Crime & Public Safety
No Result
View All Result
CT News Buzz Logo
  • Local News
  • Weather
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Health & Wellness
  • Entertainment & Lifestyle
  • Crime & Public Safety
CT News Buzz Logo
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

California’s Gavin Newsom Signs Law Banning Plastic Shopping Bags at Grocery Stores

2024-09-23 - Updated on 2025-03-05
in U.S.
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
A person wearing a white shirt and black shorts is seen carrying multiple grocery bags in both hands, mindful of California's plastic bag ban aimed at plastic waste reduction.

California Bans Plastic Bags in 2026: Paper Bags Only at Checkout

ADVERTISEMENT
Share on FacebookShare to LinkedInShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on Reddit

In a significant move to curb plastic waste, California will ban the sale of plastic bags at all checkout counters starting in 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation on Sunday, September 22, 2024, marking a major milestone in California’s ongoing battle against plastic pollution. This sweeping measure will require shoppers to bring reusable bags or purchase paper ones, as no plastic bags—regardless of thickness—will be available for sale at grocery stores.

The new law seeks to address an unintended consequence of California’s original plastic bag ban enacted in 2014. While that law banned single-use plastic bags, it allowed for thicker, reusable plastic bags to be sold for a small fee. However, these thicker bags largely ended up in landfills, leading to an increase in plastic waste by weight. According to CalRecycle, Californians discarded 5.89 tons of plastic bags per 1,000 residents in 2021, a sharp rise from the 4.08 tons discarded in 2014. Despite the initial intent, the state saw a 50% increase in plastic bag waste, which the new law aims to reverse.

Paper Bags to Replace Plastic by 2026

ADVERTISEMENT

Starting January 1, 2026, the only checkout bag option for California shoppers without reusable bags will be paper bags, priced at 10 cents each. Reusable tote bags will still be sold in stores, but not at checkout counters. This policy is designed to further reduce plastic waste and encourage the use of reusable bags.

Supporters of the bill, like co-author Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, emphasized the environmental and public health benefits of this new measure. Bauer-Kahan stressed that plastic bags, despite their convenience, contribute to long-lasting pollution.

“We deserve a cleaner future for our communities, our children, and our earth,”

Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

Plastic bags, often used for just 12 minutes on average, can remain in the environment for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics that contaminate oceans, soil, and even drinking water. The law’s advocates argue that eliminating all plastic bags at checkout will significantly reduce this form of pollution.

A History of Plastic Bag Bans in California

California’s relationship with plastic bag regulations dates back to 2007 when San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban plastic bags under then-Mayor Gavin Newsom. The statewide ban in 2014 was seen as a national turning point in reducing plastic waste, inspiring other states to follow suit. Los Angeles, San Jose, and Berkeley soon implemented similar measures.

However, the rise of thicker plastic bags starting around 2016—and exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic—proved to be a major loophole. Retailers offered these heavier bags, which are technically reusable, but in practice, many consumers discarded them after a single use. Environmental groups criticized the practice, saying it undermined the original intent of the law. Mark Murray, Executive Director of Californians Against Waste, noted that these thicker bags led to more plastic waste, which the new law intends to eliminate.

Economic and Industry Concerns

While environmentalists and consumer advocacy groups hailed the new law, it has sparked backlash from industry groups. Erin Hass, Director of the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance, argued that the new policy will harm jobs and reduce tax revenues for the state. She also pointed out that paper bags are less practical for some consumers, particularly those who rely on public transportation or cannot afford to purchase reusable bags.

Hass also criticized the idea that plastic bags aren’t recyclable. Although it is technically possible to recycle these thicker plastic bags, most curbside recycling programs in California do not accept them because they can jam the sorting equipment. Consequently, the recycling infrastructure for these bags is virtually non-existent, meaning that almost all of them end up in landfills or as litter.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lessons for Other States

California’s aggressive plastic bag policy serves as a model for other states, many of which have already implemented their own bans. New York, Rhode Island, and Colorado have learned from California’s initial missteps. For instance, New York banned plastic bags in 2020 but blocked provisions that would have allowed thicker plastic bags to be sold. Similarly, Rhode Island and Colorado, which introduced plastic bag bans in early 2024, have enforced regulations ensuring that only cloth bags with stitched handles qualify as reusable.

As more states move towards stricter plastic waste regulations, California’s updated policy could set the standard for comprehensive plastic reduction efforts. The state’s decision to shift entirely to paper bags at checkout reflects a broader trend towards reducing single-use plastics and prioritizing long-term environmental health.

California’s 2026 plastic bag ban represents a critical step in addressing plastic pollution, following a decade of both successes and challenges in the fight against single-use plastics. The move aims to correct the unintended consequences of the state’s earlier legislation, which resulted in more plastic waste despite its good intentions. By eliminating all plastic bags from checkout counters, California is leading the charge in reducing plastic waste and fostering a cleaner environment for future generations.

You May Also Be Interested In…

masai-russell-american-100m-hurdles-record-miami

Masai Russell Breaks American 100m Hurdles Record in Miami

Tammy Bruce, with shoulder-length brown hair, smiles warmly in a blue blazer against a blurred, colorful background reminiscent of official settings.

Trump Appoints Tammy Bruce as State Department Spokesperson

Share249Share44Tweet156Pin56Share
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

California Man Reunited with Family 72 Years After Child Abduction

Next Post

Fact Check: Is Foolio Still Alive? Recent Misinformation Circulates on Instagram

D.Dopwell

D.Dopwell

Debra Dopwell is an all-around blogger based in the Caribbean island of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Through digital connections, Ms. Dopwell has worked for numerous news agencies and magazines. In her spare time, she likes to go hiking, engage in riveting conspiracy theories, dance, travel, and teach Information Technology.

Related Posts

Governor Lamont Directs Flags to Half-Staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day

Connecticut state flag flying at half-staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, 2025

HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont has ordered all U.S. and Connecticut flags to fly at half-staff on Thursday, May...

Read moreDetails

CT House Passes Bill Requiring Parental Consent for Social Media

connecticut-house-parental-consent-for-social-media

HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a major bill Tuesday mandating parental consent for social media use...

Read moreDetails

New Haven Ring Camera Registration Program Launches

new-haven-ring-camera-registration

NEW HAVEN, CT — In a push to bolster community safety, the City of New Haven has launched a New...

Read moreDetails
Next Post
Julio Foolio in a blue tracksuit posing with hand gestures and adorned with jewelry. To the left, there are two inset images showing Drake and top 5 from Canada accompanying text about apologies, Toronto, and an Instagram fact check post by Foolio.

Fact Check: Is Foolio Still Alive? Recent Misinformation Circulates on Instagram

Gabby in orange uniform crosses the finish line with a smiling expression, holding a finish tape at the ATHLOS NYC inaugural track event. Another athlete in the background.

ATHLOS NYC Inaugural Track Event: A Game-Changer for Women's Sports

A man with braided hair and a goatee is shown in a mugshot, relating to the Detroit man charged in the death of a 13-year-old. In the foreground, a smaller circular image of a woman wearing glasses, waving and smiling from January.

Detroit Man Charged in Death of 13-Year-Old Girl Last Seen in January

TOP 5 CT NEWS THIS WEEK

UConn Research Redefines Music as Brain Resonance, Not Just Pattern Prediction

UConn music brain research, neural resonance theory, Edward Large, NRT, music and neuroscience, brain oscillations

STORRS, CT — The brain doesn’t just process music. According to new research led by UConn’s Edward W. Large, it...

Read moreDetails

Three Hospitalized After Rollover Crash on Route 72 in Plainville

PLAINVILLE, CT — A violent two-car crash on Route 72 East in Plainville Saturday evening left three people hospitalized—one with...

Read moreDetails

SEIU 1199NE care workers give state 8 more days after Governor Ned Lamont admits wage disparity

SEIU 1199NE members rally outside a long-term care facility in Hartford, Connecticut

HARTFORD, CT – A planned strike involving Connecticut’s long-term care workforce has been deferred by eight days after Governor Ned Lamont...

Read moreDetails

Connecticut Firefighters Cancer Relief Program Expanded by Governor

connecticut-firefighters-cancer-relief-program

HARTFORD, CT — Governor Ned Lamont has signed new legislation expanding the Connecticut Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, a move that...

Read moreDetails

Mother and Daughter Identified as Victims in Fatal Watertown House Fire

Watertown fire, Oakville house fire, Linda Dabramo, Dana Dabramo, Watertown police, fatal Connecticut fire

WATERTOWN, CT — A fire that tore through a Watertown home last week has claimed the lives of a mother...

Read moreDetails
  • Latest News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2024 CT News Buzz - Your Daily News Buzz | Designed by: KDigitalStudios | Hosted by: KDigitalHosting.
-----
CTNewsBuzz offers news recaps and commentary based on public sources. We cite when relevant and don’t claim original reporting unless noted.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

*By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Local News
  • Weather
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Health & Wellness
  • Entertainment & Lifestyle
  • Crime & Public Safety
  • About Us
  • Subscribe

© 2024 CT News Buzz - Your Daily News Buzz | Designed by: KDigitalStudios | Hosted by: KDigitalHosting.
-----
CTNewsBuzz offers news recaps and commentary based on public sources. We cite when relevant and don’t claim original reporting unless noted.

This website uses cookies. No, not the delicious, gooey kind you dip in milk. We're talking about the virtual ones that make your online experience smoother. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy and Cookie Policy.