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
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.
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.
