Starting in January of 2026, shoppers will no longer be given the choice of "paper or plastic" at grocery checkout lines in California under a new law signed Sunday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Single-use plastic bags have been banned in grocery and convenience stores in California since 2014, when it became the first state in the nation to pass such a ban. But the new law closes up a loophole in the 2014 plastic bag ban that allowed stores to offer thicker plastic bags that were deemed reusable and recyclable, which led to a surge in the use of thicker plastic bags that were rarely reused, according to reports.
The new law, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, bans all plastic shopping bags. Consumers will be encouraged to bring their own bags or purchase recycled paper bags at checkout for a nominal fee. (The ban does not affect other bags and films used for produce or as overwrap for fresh meat.)
In addition, beginning Jan. 1, 2028, the definition of a recycled paper bag will change from one made from 40% recycled material, to one with more than 50% recycled material.