Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sunday, September 22, signed by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), to ban the distribution of plastic bags at grocery store checkouts.
SB 1053 honors the intent of the original ban on single-use bags enacted ten years ago. The ban allowed stores to sell customers thicker plastic carryout bags that were considered reusable and met certain recyclability standards. However, almost none of those bags are reused or recycled, and they end up in landfills or pollute the environment.
“I thank Governor Newsom for signing this important legislation that will help protect California’s environment,” Senator Blakespear said. “Instead of being asked if 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.”
The new measure, signed by Governor Newsom, will take effect in 2026.
“We deserve a cleaner future for our communities, our children, and our earth,” Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan said. “It’s time for us to get rid of these plastic bags and continue to move forward with a more pollution-free environment.”
Senator Blakespear partnered with Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan on the legislation this year. They agreed to author identical bills and push them through their own houses to build momentum for the policy. Senator Blakespear authored SB 1053, and Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan authored AB 2236.
What Does the New Law Banning Plastic Bags Intend to Do?
The legislation aims to close a loophole in California’s ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery store checkouts. The ban was first passed in 2014 and then approved by the state’s voters in 2016. The loophole allowed stores to provide consumers with thicker plastic bags at checkout.
The reality is that the thicker bags are difficult to recycle—few are ever recycled—and they are seldom reused. Instead, they have contributed to California’s growing plastic waste.
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According to CalRecycle, the amount of grocery and merchandise bags disposed of by Californians grew from 157,385 tons of plastic bags the year California passed the bag ban to 231,072 tons by 2022 – a 47% increase.
A plastic bag has an average lifespan of 12 minutes. Then, it is discarded, afflicting the environment with toxic microplastics that plague the oceans and landfills for up to 1,000 years.
Under this legislation, grocery stores may offer recycled paper bags at checkout, or consumers may use their own bags to make purchases.
The legislation does not restrict the sale of any type of bag, rather it simply provides that only paper bags can be available at the point of sale. SB 1053 honors the original legislation’s intent and California voters’ will.
More than 200 organizations and individuals support the legislation, including Azul, Californians Against Waste, California Grocers Association, California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), Heal the Bay, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, and Surfrider Foundation.