New Law Phases Out Plastic Bags by 2026
California is once again leading the charge against plastic pollution with a new law that will ban all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores starting in 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation on Sunday, marking another significant step in California banning plastic bags statewide. Under this law, shoppers will no longer have the option to purchase thicker, supposedly reusable plastic bags. Instead, they will be limited to using paper bags if they don’t bring their own reusable ones.
Addressing the Shortcomings of Previous Plastic Bag Bans
California banning plastic bags is not a new concept, but previous efforts fell short of reducing plastic waste. In 2014, the state banned thin plastic bags, but many shoppers opted for thicker bags that were meant to be reusable, yet often discarded after a single use. State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, a major advocate for the new law, pointed to a study showing that Californians are discarding more plastic bags now than before the initial ban.
“We are literally choking our planet with plastic waste,” Blakespear said, underscoring the urgency behind California banning plastic bags more comprehensively.
Environmental Impact and Support for the Ban
Environmental organizations have welcomed the news of California banning plastic bags. Oceana, a nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation, praised the new law for its role in protecting marine life and reducing coastal pollution. Christy Leavitt, Oceana’s plastics campaign director, said that the ban solidifies California’s leadership in tackling the global plastic pollution crisis.
Similarly, the California Public Interest Research Group applauded the measure, noting that the new law finally aligns with the original intent of the 2014 ban. “Plastic bags create pollution in our environment and break into microplastics that contaminate our drinking water and threaten our health,” said Jenn Engstrom, the group’s director.
California’s Role in the Nationwide Movement
As California bans plastic bags, it joins a growing movement across the U.S. Twelve states, including California, now have statewide bans in place, while hundreds of cities across 28 states have implemented their own restrictions. Governor Newsom, a longtime advocate for environmental reform, had previously signed the nation’s first plastic bag ban as San Francisco’s mayor in 2007. This new law further strengthens California’s commitment to reducing plastic waste and safeguarding the environment.
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