All plastic bags are being banned from checkout lines across California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1053 over the weekend, which bans the reusable plastic bags often seen at large retail stores.
Driving the news: The plastic bag ban rectifies the 2014 ban, which prohibited stores from providing single-use bags.
- But the 2014 ban did not actually do anything to decrease California’s plastic waste. Californians averaged eight pounds per person of plastic bag waste in 2004. By 2021, that number had increased to 11 pounds per person.
- Plastic bag disposal also increased by 47 percent from 2014 to 2022, according to CalRecycle.
- Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D–Encinitas) authored SB 1053.
What we’re watching: The ban will take effect in 2026.
What they’re saying: “I thank Governor Newsom for signing this important legislation that will help protect California’s environment,” Blakespear said. “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.”
