It wasn’t that long ago that California made waves when the state announced a ban on all single-use plastic grocery bags. At the time, California allowed customers to purchase thicker, reusable plastic bags. However, state lawmakers recently announced that Senate Bill 1053 (SB 1053) had passed, and with it, the end of plastic grocery bags in California. Effective January 1, 2026, all plastic bags, including reusable bags that were once legal, are banned in supermarkets, convenience stores, and pharmacies. The new law represents the biggest statewide restriction on plastic bags in U.S. history.

This announcement presents a major moment for shoppers and retailers alike. As of January 1, stores may offer recycled-paper bags (for a minimum charge), or consumers can bring their own reusable fabric or other approved cloth bags. This move closes what critics called a loophole that undercut previous bans and is aimed at reducing plastic waste in California and beyond.

Why the Ban Is Expanding: From Thin Bags to All Plastic Bags

The state passed a law in 2014, SB 270, that banned lightweight, single-use plastic bags. However, it still permitted thicker, reusable bags to remain in use, as long as they met certain durability standards.

Over time, those thicker bags led to the same issues caused by their thinner predecessors. Instead of being reused dozens, many were thrown away after a single use. Instead of preventing environmental damage, the thicker bags actually served to make things worse, as thicker plastic is actually worse for the environment than thinner plastic. Recycling facilities across the state reported that most of these film bags weren’t accepted in curbside recycling, so they generally ended up in landfills or thrown away as litter.

Advocates and lawmakers pointed out this discrepancy, arguing that the “reusable” label was misleading. According to environmental groups, plastic-bag waste by weight actually increased since the earlier ban, underscoring that simply swapping the thin bags for thicker ones did not solve the problem, but masked it. Supporters of the recent ban carried the argument that a true solution requires the full elimination of disposable and near-disposable plastic bags, not just a change in thickness.

What the New Law Requires

SB 1053 prohibits grocery stores, liquor stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and other retail locations from offering any type of plastic bag. At the checkout, consumers who don’t bring their own bags will only be offered recycled-paper bags. These paper bags must be offered for at least 10 cents each. By 2028, those bags must be made of no less than 50% recycled content.

Retailers can still sell cloth or other washable, reusable bags that meet durability standards for reuse. The law is aimed at eliminating plastic film bags entirely, leaving the choice to the consumer to reuse or bring a more sustainable alternative.

Expected Environmental Impact and Why Many Support the Ban

Plastic bags, which routinely escape recycling systems, persist in the environment for decades. They not only contribute to litter, but also block drainage systems, harm wildlife, and degrade into microplastics, which scientists have proven to harm soil and water supplies. By eliminating grocery-store plastic bags statewide, California aims to drastically reduce that environmental burden. Estimates suggest the ban could prevent billions of plastic bags from being distributed each year.

Environmental groups, such as Californians Against Waste (CAW), have shared their support for the new law, calling it a “major step toward protecting ecosystems, reducing landfill waste, and promoting cleaner oceans and waterways.”

There’s also some support for the new law, as it’s expected to standardize sustainable bag use across the state. Over recent years, there has been ongoing confusion about what bags qualify as “reusable,” but the new law will remove any doubt. Instead, it will push consumers toward truly sustainable grocery shopping. This consistency supports long-term behavioral change rather than quick fixes.

Practical Effects on Shoppers and Retailers

For everyday Californians, the change means that they will be asked at the checkout counter if they brought a permissible bag with them, or if they would like to purchase a bag from the retailer. On the most basic level, this means that grocery routines may change. Customers will either choose between bringing bags with them, purchasing them from the store, or possibly purchasing fewer items if they don’t have bags on hand.

Retailers will need to adapt, and adapt quickly. Stores must phase out plastic bags, ensure paper bags comply with recycled-content standards, and train staff on the new checkout protocols. Some stores, especially smaller, independent stores that lack the infrastructure of larger corporations, may experience some logistical issues. This may be especially prominent in the early stages of the transition. Still, experts expect the change to take place without major disruptions.

Depending on how widespread reusable cloth-bag adoption becomes, consumers may see long-term savings compared to repeatedly paying for paper bags. Over time, the change is expected to reduce waste at landfills while also lightening the burden on municipal recycling centers and waste-management systems.

A Bold Step into a Brighter Future

California’s new ban on all plastic grocery bags represents a bold attempt to curb waste, reduce pollution, and close a long-standing loophole in earlier reforms. While the last change didn’t lead to wide-sweeping changes across the country, some advocates say that the lack of clarification about bag standards led to the law being confined to California.

If you live in California or visit often, now is the time to get used to keeping canvas or cloth bags in your vehicle. Even if you rarely shop in California, being aware of the change and what it could mean on a national level is a great idea.