California Governor signs law banning all plastic shopping bags starting In 2026

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that will completely ban plastic shopping bags starting in 2026. Previously, the ban only applied to thinner plastic bags, while thicker ones, deemed reusable and recyclable, were still permitted. However, under this new legislation, all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness, will be prohibited.

Shoppers who don’t bring their own reusable bags will be offered paper bags instead, aiming to further reduce plastic waste and promote environmentally friendly alternatives. This law represents a significant step toward combating plastic pollution in the state.

State Senator Catherine Blakespear, who backed the bill, pointed out that consumers were not reusing or recycling plastic bags as intended. A state study showed that plastic bag waste per person had risen from 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) in 2004 to 11 pounds (5 kilograms) in 2021. Blakespear emphasised that the previous ban, enacted a decade ago, had not successfully reduced overall plastic consumption.

A decade ago, California’s ban on plastic bags didn’t achieve the intended reduction in overall plastic use. “We’re literally suffocating our planet with plastic waste,” Blakespear said, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Environmental Impact

Environmental organisation Oceana celebrated Governor Newsom’s decision to sign the new bill, viewing it as a significant move to protect California’s coastline and marine ecosystems from the harmful impact of single-use plastic. Christy Leavitt, the organisation’s plastics campaign director, emphasised that this ban cements California’s role as a global leader in tackling plastic pollution.

Twelve states, including California, have already implemented some type of statewide plastic bag ban, and hundreds of cities across 28 states have enacted similar measures. California’s first statewide plastic bag ban, passed in 2014, was upheld by voters in a 2016 referendum.

Achieving the original goals

The California Public Interest Research Group announced that the new law aligns with the original goal of the first bag ban. “Plastic bags pollute our environment, breaking down into microplastics that contaminate drinking water and pose health risks,” said Jenn Engstrom, the group’s director. “Nearly a decade ago, Californians voted to eliminate plastic grocery bags, but the law clearly needed updating. With the Governor’s signature, we can finally say California has banned plastic bags in grocery checkout lanes for good.”

History of  plastic bag laws

Back in 2007, when he was the mayor of San Francisco, Newsom took a significant step by signing the nation’s first plastic bag ban, setting a precedent that inspired similar legislation across the country. This groundbreaking move aimed to address the growing concerns over plastic pollution and its impact on the environment. The ban focused on reducing the use of single-use plastic bags in retail settings, encouraging consumers to shift towards more sustainable alternatives.

Over the years, this initiative has sparked a broader conversation about environmental responsibility, leading to increased awareness about the consequences of plastic waste on marine life and ecosystems. Newsom’s early action on this issue laid the groundwork for California’s continued leadership in environmental policy, culminating in the recent comprehensive ban that eliminates all plastic shopping bags statewide.

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