ENCINITAS — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sunday banning the use of plastic bags at grocery store checkouts across California.
Senate Bill 1053, which builds on the state’s previous efforts to curb plastic waste and eliminate a major source of pollution, was co-authored by state Sen. Catherine Smith Blakespear, D-Encinitas, whose 38th District includes parts of north San Diego County and south Orange County.
The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, giving retailers and consumers time to adjust to the new requirements.
In 2014, California became the first state in the nation to pass legislation banning single-use plastic bags under Senate Bill 270. However, stores were still allowed to provide thicker plastic bags if they were reusable and recyclable. Blakespear told The Coast News in August that while voters banned plastic bags, a loophole allowed thicker plastic bags labeled as reusable and recyclable.
“In reality, there’s nowhere in California that recycles them, and people don’t reuse them, they treat them like single-use plastic bags,” Blakespear said of the thicker plastic bags. “This [bill] would right the problem that has emerged over the last eight years.”
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 partial ban to 231,072 tons by 2022 — a 47% increase.
“Californians voted to ban plastic grocery bags in our state almost a decade ago, but the law clearly needed a redo,” said Jenn Engstrom, director of California Public Interest Research Group, or CALPIRG. “With the governor’s signature, California has finally banned plastic bags in grocery checkout lanes once and for all.”
Environmental groups have long argued that the bags are rarely reused and difficult to recycle.
A survey conducted by CALPIRG found that only 2% of customers reused the thicker plastic bags during subsequent grocery trips. In addition, municipal recycling facilities across the state do not accept the bags, leading to an increase in plastic waste.
With the signing of SB 1053, all plastic bags at checkout will be banned. Shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable bags or can purchase a paper bag at checkout for a fee. Proponents say this measure addresses the shortcomings of the 2014 law by removing plastic bags entirely from grocery stores.
“I thank Governor Newsom for signing this important legislation that will help protect California’s environment,” Blakespear said in a statement Sunday. “Instead of being asked if they 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 law does not restrict the separate sale of any type of bag, but it mandates that only paper bags or used bags brought by a customer can be available at checkout counters.
Supporters of the bill highlight the environmental impact of plastic bags, which can break down into microplastics that contaminate water and harm wildlife.
“Nothing we use for a few minutes should pollute the environment for hundreds of years,” said Laura Deehan, State Director of Environment California, in a statement. “Plastic grocery bags will no longer be a threat to sea turtles, birds, and other wildlife in California.”
