Omar Khalid
California has been at the forefront of addressing the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags since 2007, when San Francisco became the first city in the nation to ban them. In 2014, California became the first state to ban single-use plastic bags in retail stores with the passing of Senate Bill 270. However, the law still allowed stores to provide plastic bags as long as they were recyclable or reusable, which led to an increase in plastic bag waste. To address this loophole, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1053 into law in 2024, which aims to prohibit the use of all plastic bags, including recyclable bags, from grocery stores by 2026. This new legislation will require customers to bring their own bags or purchase paper bags, with a minimum charge of 10 cents per bag.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic carryout bags | Banned |
| Reusable plastic bags | Allowed until January 1, 2026 |
| Recycled paper bags | Allowed until January 1, 2026 |
| Minimum charge per bag | 10 cents |
| Stores requiring customers to purchase a bag | Not allowed |
| Stores selling bags keeping the money | Allowed |
| Stores providing free reusable grocery bags | Allowed for WIC/SNAP customers |
| Compostable plastic bags | Allowed |
| Minimum charge per compostable bag | 10 cents |
| Stores providing free recycled paper bags | Mandatory for certain payment methods |
| Fine for violating the law | $1,000 per day for the first violation, $2,000 per day for the second violation, and $5,000 per day for the third and subsequent violations |
| Certification requirements for reusable grocery bags | Must be certified by a third-party entity, include a statement that the bag is reusable at least 125 times, be made with a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled material, be certified recyclable, and be at least 2.25 mils thick |
| Enforcement of fines | Cities, counties, and the state are authorized to fine violators |
| Funding for the law | $2 million for loans to promote the manufacture and recycling of plastic reusable grocery bags |
| Phase 1 of the law | Applies to stores with annual gross sales of at least $2 million or at least 10,000 square feet of retail floor space and a pharmacy |
| Phase 2 of the law | Applies to convenience food stores, food marts, or similar entities |
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What You'll Learn
California's law banning plastic bags
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which came into effect in two phases. The first phase, which began on July 1, 2015, applies to stores with annual gross sales of at least $2 million or at least 10,000 square feet of retail floor space and a pharmacy. The second phase imposes the same requirements on convenience stores, food marts, and similar entities. Under this law, stores are prohibited from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers. This includes most grocery, pharmacy, liquor, and convenience stores.
The law does not ban all plastic bags, only those that are single-use and made of plastic, paper, or other materials unless they are made from recycled paper or certified as reusable grocery bags. Stores may sell reusable plastic bags made with recycled content or recycled paper bags until January 1, 2026. They must charge at least 10 cents per bag, and the stores that sell bags keep the money to cover the cost of providing them. Stores are also allowed to sell compostable plastic bags that meet specific requirements, and they must also charge at least 10 cents for these bags.
The law mandates that reusable bags must be certified by a third-party entity to satisfy legal requirements. This certification must be provided by a single third-party certification entity, and it must include information such as the sources and suppliers of post-consumer recycled material, the quantities and dates of purchases, and how the post-consumer material is obtained. The bag must also have a statement that it is designed for at least 125 uses, and it must be resubmitted for certification every two years.
The law authorizes cities, counties, and the state to fine a person or entity for violations, with fines ranging from $1,000 per day for the first violation to $5,000 per day for the third and subsequent violations. It also includes an appropriation of $2 million for loans to promote the manufacture and recycling of plastic reusable grocery bags in California.
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Plastic bag ban statistics
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which came into effect in 2015. The law prohibits stores from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers. It permits stores to sell and distribute recycled paper bags and reusable grocery bags that meet specified standards, but they must charge at least 10 cents per bag. Stores cannot require customers to purchase a bag.
The law will be implemented in two phases. The first phase applies to stores with annual gross sales of at least $2 million or at least 10,000 square feet of retail floor space and a pharmacy. The second phase imposes the same requirements on convenience food stores, food marts, or similar entities. The law also requires producers of reusable bags to be certified by a third party and submit proof of certification to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.
The results of the ban have been positive, with a 100% reduction in the distribution of single-use plastic bags in covered stores in LA County after the ban was implemented. San Jose has seen a 76% reduction in creek and river litter, a 59% drop in park and roadside plastic bag litter, and a 69% reduction in plastic bag litter in storm drains. Santa Barbara eliminated almost 45 million single-use plastic shopping bags, an estimated 95% of all plastic bags generated in the city.
However, there have been some challenges. The initial ban had a loophole that allowed grocers to charge for thicker plastic bags, leading to an increase in plastic bag waste. California still dumped 231,072 tons of plastic grocery and merchandise bags in landfills in 2021. When bans on single-use plastic bags haven't included a fee on paper bags, their use has soared. In Portland, Oregon, paper bag use increased by 491% after the city enacted a ban without a fee for paper alternatives.
To address these issues, California introduced a new ban in 2024 and filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil, alleging that the company promoted recycling while knowing it was not a viable solution to the plastic waste problem. The state has also appropriated $2 million to promote the manufacture and recycling of plastic reusable grocery bags.
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Reusable plastic bags
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which prohibits stores from providing single-use plastic bags to customers. The law encourages the use of reusable bags and allows stores to sell and distribute these bags, as long as they meet specified standards and are sold for at least 10 cents per bag. Stores may sell reusable plastic bags made with recycled content, recycled paper bags, or compostable plastic bags that meet the requirements.
Reusable bags are more environmentally friendly than single-use bags, and those made from 40% recycled polyethylene have a lower footprint than any single-use bag after just eight uses. By law, reusable bags must be designed for at least 125 uses, and they use 50% less energy, have 40% less impact on GHG emissions and solid waste, and use 30% less water. Reusable bags are also more cost-effective for customers in the long run, as they avoid the 10-cent charge per bag and eliminate the hidden cost of single-use bags previously rolled into the price of groceries.
Reusable bags are readily available for purchase at grocery, drug, and convenience stores in California. They are also widely available online, with many companies offering a range of sizes and styles. Some reusable bags are made from recycled materials like ripstop nylon, while others are made from food-grade PEVA material, which is non-toxic and safe for storing food in freezers.
To ensure compliance with the law, producers of reusable bags made from plastic film must be certified by a third-party entity and provide proof of certification. The proof must include information on the sources and quantities of post-consumer recycled material used, how it was obtained, and evidence of appropriate cleaning. This certification must be resubmitted every two years.
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Stores selling plastic bags
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which prohibits stores from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers. However, stores may sell reusable plastic bags made with recycled content or recycled paper bags until January 1, 2026. Stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag, and they are not allowed to require customers to purchase a bag.
If you are looking for stores that sell plastic bags in California, there are a few options. Ampac Supplies, for example, offers a large assortment of custom printed plastic and paper bags. They are based in Southern California and Las Vegas and offer a free sample process so you can test their products before committing. Another option is Custom Poly Packaging, which offers a variety of plastic bags, including biodegradable and recycled options. They are based in Los Angeles and serve customers across the United States. Finally, you can also check with local grocery and retail stores, as some of them may still offer reusable plastic bags for sale, although this is becoming less common due to the state's bag ban.
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Penalties for violating the ban
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which prohibits stores from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers. The law will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, which came into effect on July 1, 2015, applies to stores with annual gross sales of at least $2 million or at least 10,000 square feet of retail floor space and a pharmacy. The second phase, which came into effect on July 1, 2016, applies to convenience food stores, food marts, and other similar entities.
Stores that violate the plastic bag ban law will face fines or penalties for each violation. The fines for a store or producer of reusable grocery bags that violates the law are as follows:
- $1,000 per day for the first violation
- $2,000 per day for the second violation
- $5,000 per day for the third and subsequent violations
The law also authorizes cities, counties, and the state to fine a person or entity for violations. The fines collected by the state may be expended by California's attorney general. However, the law is silent on the due process procedures for alleged violators. It is recommended that different jurisdictions collaborate to avoid multiple jurisdictions bringing an action against an operator for the same violation.
In addition to the fines, stores may also be subject to routine inspections or investigations to monitor compliance with the plastic bag ban law.
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Frequently asked questions
No, California has banned the use of single-use plastic bags in retail stores.
Californians can use recycled paper bags, compostable bags, or reusable bags. Reusable bags must be certified by a third-party entity and can be made from recycled plastic.
Stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag. However, WIC/SNAP customers are exempt from paying this charge.
The ban covers most grocery, pharmacy, liquor, and convenience stores in California.
