California's Bold Move: Total Ban on Plastic Shopping Bags by 2026
California Takes Bold Step to Eliminate Plastic Shopping Bags
In a landmark move, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a comprehensive ban on all plastic shopping bags, set to take effect in 2026. This new legislation expands upon the state’s previous ban on thin plastic bags, which had allowed for thicker, reusable plastic alternatives.
Under the new law, shoppers who arrive without their bags will be offered paper bags as an alternative. This measure aims to address the shortcomings of the earlier ban, which, according to State Senator Catherine Blakespear, failed to significantly reduce overall plastic use.
Blakespear, a strong supporter of the bill, cited a study revealing an increase in plastic bag waste per person from 2004 to 2021. She criticized the previous ban for its ineffectiveness in promoting the reuse and recycling of plastic bags.
Environmental groups have lauded the new legislation. Oceana, a prominent ocean conservation organization, praised the law for its potential to protect California’s coastline and marine life. Christy Leavitt of Oceana highlighted California’s continued leadership in addressing plastic pollution.
This move places California among twelve states with statewide plastic bag bans, while hundreds of cities across 28 states have implemented local bans. The Golden State’s journey began with the first statewide ban passed by the Legislature in 2014, which was subsequently affirmed by voters in a 2016 referendum.
The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) has expressed strong support for the new law, stating that it fulfills the original ban’s intent. CALPIRG Director Jenn Engstrom emphasized the environmental and health threats posed by plastic bags and noted the necessity of a stronger law to meet voter expectations from a decade ago.
Interestingly, Governor Newsom’s involvement with plastic bag bans dates back to his tenure as San Francisco’s mayor in 2007, when he signed the nation’s first such ban at a municipal level.
As California prepares for this significant change, the state continues to set a precedent in environmental policy, potentially influencing similar measures across the nation.
