Gavin Newsom Bans Plastic Shopping Bags in California Grocery Stores: What You Need to Know

Plastic Shopping Bags

Gavin Newsom Bans Plastic Shopping Bags in California Grocery Stores by 2026: A Major Step Toward Sustainability

If you're heading to the grocery store in California, be sure to bring your own bags. Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced Bans Plastic Shopping Bags in California Grocery Stores by 2026. Under the new law, grocery stores will only offer paper bags at checkout.

This landmark decision is part of California's ongoing fight against plastic pollution, building on earlier regulations that restricted thinner plastic bags while allowing thicker, supposedly reusable versions. State Senator Catherine Blakespear, a key supporter of the law, pointed out the alarming increase in plastic waste, with per capita plastic bag disposal rising from 8 pounds in 2004 to 11 pounds in 2021. "We are literally choking our planet with plastic waste," she stated, underscoring the urgent need for action.

The new law simplifies the shopping experience by providing only paper bags for those without reusable ones, and it has garnered strong support from environmental groups. Oceana, a leading ocean conservation nonprofit, praised the legislation as a crucial step in protecting California's coastlines and marine ecosystems.

Christy Leavitt, Oceana's plastics campaign director, emphasized that the ban reinforces California’s role as a leader in the global battle against plastic pollution.

With this move, California joins a growing national trend, as twelve states have enacted statewide plastic bag bans, alongside numerous cities across 28 states. The roots of California’s plastic bag ban can be traced back to 2014 when the legislature first passed a ban that was later confirmed by voters in a 2016 referendum.

Jenn Engstrom, director of the California Public Interest Research Group, hailed the new law as a fulfillment of the original goal to eliminate plastic bags. "Plastic bags pollute our environment and break down into microplastics, contaminating our drinking water and endangering our health," she noted. With Governor Newsom’s signature, California is poised to eliminate plastic bags from grocery checkouts once and for all.

Newsom's commitment to reducing plastic waste is longstanding; he previously signed the nation's first plastic bag ban as mayor of San Francisco in 2007. This latest legislation reflects a broader shift in the U.S. toward sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.

Many view this move as another significant stride toward a greener future for California, setting a powerful example for other states to emulate.