On Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill into law aimed at closing a loophole in California’s 2014 plastic bag ban, which has led to a significant increase in plastic waste across the state. The updated legislation, set to go into effect on January 1, 2026, seeks to fully ban plastic checkout bags and tighten recycling requirements.
The original 2014 law banned single-use plastic bags at grocery and retail stores, but allowed for “reusable” plastic bags, often made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This loophole resulted in an increase in plastic bag waste, with CALPIRG, a consumer advocacy group, reporting that plastic waste surged from 157,385 tons in 2014 to 231,072 tons by 2021—a 47% rise.
Environmental groups have long called for stricter measures to tackle plastic pollution, which they argue harms ecosystems and human health. Jenn Engstrom, state director of CALPIRG, emphasized the importance of the new law: “Plastic bags create pollution in our environment and break into microplastics that contaminate our drinking water and threaten our health. Californians voted to ban plastic grocery bags almost a decade ago, but the law needed a redo. With the governor’s signature, California has finally banned plastic bags in grocery checkout lanes once and for all.”
The new legislation targets plastic checkout bags specifically but exempts bags used for produce or items like meat that could cause contamination. Starting January 2028, the requirements for recycled paper bags will also become stricter, requiring them to be made from at least 50% recycled material, up from the current 40%.
Public support for reducing plastic waste has remained strong in California. A statewide poll conducted by Oceana in 2022 revealed that 86% of voters favor policies that reduce single-use plastic products like grocery bags and beverage bottles. Oceana’s Plastics Campaign Director, Christy Leavitt, praised the new law, stating, “Plastic bags are one of the deadliest types of plastic to ocean wildlife. This ban reinforces California as a leader in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.”
Environmental advocates argue that plastic bags, once they degrade into microplastics, have been detected in the air, water, plants, and even human bodies. Laura Deehan, Environment California’s state director, noted, “Nothing we use for just a few minutes should pollute the environment for hundreds of years. This necessary update ensures that plastic grocery bags will no longer pose a threat to wildlife in California.”
While environmental advocates have celebrated the bill, the plastic recycling industry has voiced concerns. Erin Hass, Executive Director of the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance, criticized the legislation: “We are disappointed that Governor Newsom has chosen to sign Senate Bill 1053. This flawed bill mirrors similar legislation in places like New Jersey and Canada, which has led to an increase in the use of imported non-recyclable plastic-cloth bags.”
Despite opposition, supporters of the bill believe it corrects shortcomings in the original legislation. Nick Lapis, Director of Advocacy for Californians Against Waste, remarked, “Californians voted to ban plastic bags in 2016, but they didn’t get what they voted for. This new law shows California policymakers are committed to addressing environmental issues over time, not just stopping after the initial bill.”
In addition to signing the plastic bag bill, Governor Newsom vetoed AB 2214, a separate piece of legislation that would have required state agencies to develop plans addressing microplastic pollution. Newsom explained his veto, citing an existing 2018 law that tasks the Ocean Protection Council with formulating a statewide microplastic strategy. This report is expected by December 2025, and Newsom argued that the proposed bill would have been premature in light of this ongoing effort.
The new law marks a significant step in California’s ongoing efforts to combat plastic pollution. With stronger restrictions on plastic checkout bags and heightened recycling requirements, the state is positioning itself as a leader in tackling plastic waste. However, challenges remain, particularly from the plastic industry and in the realm of broader microplastic pollution, which continues to be a growing concern.
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