California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new bill into law to close a legal loophole that has contributed to a significant rise in plastic bag waste in the state. The legislation, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, focuses on banning plastic bags in grocery checkout lanes specifically, aiming to address the environmental impact of plastic pollution. This move comes after a 2014 law intended to ban single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and retail checkout lines resulted in an unexpected increase in plastic bag waste volume.

According to a report by CALPIRG, the volume of plastic bag waste in California surged from 157,385 tons in 2014 to 231,072 tons in 2021, representing a 47% increase. Despite considering the rise in population, the amount of discarded bags climbed from 4.08 tons per 1,000 people to 5.89 tons per 1,000 people during this period. The new law is a significant step towards reducing plastic waste and solidifies California's position as a leader in combating plastic pollution on a global scale.

Support for measures to reduce single-use plastic products in California is strong, with a statewide poll by Oceana showing that 86% of voters back local and state policies aimed at curbing plastic use. The concerns over single-use plastic items, including grocery bags, beverage bottles, and takeout food containers, are shared by 92% of California voters. The ban on plastic bags in checkout lanes has been lauded by environmental advocates and hailed as a necessary update to protect wildlife and the ecosystem in California from the harmful effects of plastic pollution.

While the new law has been welcomed by many, it has faced criticism from the plastic recycling industry. The American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance expressed disappointment with the bill, citing concerns about its similarity to legislation elsewhere that led to the widespread use of non-recyclable plastic-cloth bags. Governor Newsom also vetoed AB 2214, a bill that would have required state agencies to combat microplastic pollution, citing an existing comprehensive strategy to address microplastic pollution in the state. Nonetheless, California's commitment to tackling environmental issues, exemplified by the ban on plastic bags in grocery checkout lanes, signifies a progressive step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.