On Sunday, California's governor approved legislation introducing a complete ban on the use of plastic bags in stores, CNN reports. The new measure will go into effect at the beginning of 2026.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has approved a new law banning all plastic shopping bags.
“The new measure, approved by state lawmakers last month bans all plastic shopping bags from 2026. Consumers who do not bring their own bags will be asked if they want a paper bag,” CNN reported.
Plastic Bag Ban in the US
State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, one of the bill’s supporters, said people are not reusing or recycling any plastic bags. She cited a state study that found the amount of plastic grocery bags thrown away per person has increased from 3.6 kilograms per year in 2004 to 5 kilograms per year in 2021.
Blakespear emphasized that the previous the bag ban passed a decade ago has not reduced overall plastic use– We are literally suffocating our planet with plastic waste, she said in February.
The California Public Interest Research Group said Sunday that the new law finally fulfills the intent of the original bag ban.
“Plastic bags pollute our environment and break down into microplastics that contaminate our drinking water and threaten our health,” said the group's director, Jenn Engstrom.
Tightening regulations in California
The California Legislature passed ban on using plastic bags statewide in 2014. The law was later confirmed by voters in a 2016 referendum.
The legislation approved then introduced a statewide ban on thin plastic shopping bags in supermarkets and other stores, but shoppers could purchase bags made of thicker, reusable and recyclable plastic.
Gavin Newsom, as mayor of San Francisco in 2007, signed the first USA ban on the use of plastic bags.
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