California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs New Bill Banning the Use of Plastic Bags at Grocery Stores

California is taking a major step forward with a groundbreaking new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that will eliminate plastic shopping bags from grocery store checkout lines.

Starting in 2026, Californians will no longer face the choice of “paper or plastic,” as plastic shopping bags will be banned entirely.  While the state had already banned thin plastic bags, shoppers could still buy thicker, supposedly reusable plastic bags.  The new law, passed by state legislators and supported by Senator Catherine Blakespear, tackles the issue head-on by banning all plastic bags, pushing consumers to opt for paper bags or bring their own reusable ones.

We did it! Governor Newsom has signed my bill #SB1053 to #BanTheBag. This is a huge step forward in our efforts to reduce our dependency on #singleuse plastics in our state. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the partners who worked tirelessly with us to make this law… pic.twitter.com/KPkme6SOc0

— Senator Catherine Blakespear (@SenBlakespear) September 22, 2024

Senator Blakespear highlighted a troubling trend: plastic bag usage was rising, with per-person plastic waste increasing from 8 pounds in 2004 to 11 pounds in 2021. She’s championed this ban as crucial in addressing our planet’s plastic crisis. The environmental nonprofit Oceana has praised the new legislation, celebrating it as a key move to protect California’s coastline, marine life, and communities from plastic waste.

This update builds on California’s history of environmental leadership, including the nation’s first plastic bag ban signed by Newsom in 2007 as San Francisco’s mayor. The California Public Interest Research Group also applauded the new law as a long-awaited and necessary revision to the original 2014 ban, emphasizing that it effectively tackles the pollution and health risks posed by plastic bags.