Sofia Martinez
California has been taking steps to reduce plastic bag consumption and waste for over a decade. In 2007, San Francisco became the first jurisdiction in California to ban single-use plastic bags. In 2014, a law was passed to ban single-use plastic bags statewide, and in 2016, California voters approved Proposition 67, which prohibits grocery and other stores from providing customers with single-use plastic or paper carryout bags. This proposition also permits the sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags for a minimum fee of $0.10 per bag. The state has also implemented Senate Bill 1053, which strengthens existing restrictions on single-use carryout bags and will go into effect in 2026. These measures aim to reduce plastic pollution and encourage the use of reusable bags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of vote | 2016 |
| Name of vote | California Proposition 67 |
| Type of vote | Referendum |
| Proposition | To ban single-use plastic bags |
| Result | Passed with 53% of the vote |
| Fee for other bags | $0.10 |
| Fee charged by | Stores |
| Fee paid to | Stores |
| Fee used for | Covering costs |
| Fee exempt customers | WIC/SNAP customers |
| Other proposition | Proposition 65 |
| Proposition 65 result | Failed |
| Proposition 65 aim | To use proceeds from plastic bag sales to fund environmental projects |
| Opposition | Four large out-of-state plastic bag companies |
| Support | California Fish & Game Commission, California League of Conservation Voters, California State Association of Counties, CalPIRG, League of Women Voters of California, NAACP California Conference, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, Our Revolution, Sierra Club California, Trout Unlimited, The Trust for Public Land |
| New law effective from | January 1, 2026 |
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What You'll Learn
California's Proposition 67 passed with 53% of the vote
California's Proposition 67, a ballot proposition on November 8, 2016, passed with 53% of the vote. The proposition was a referendum on Senate Bill 270, which bans plastic shopping bags. With the passage of Proposition 67, the bill went into full effect.
Proposition 67 was a response to the growing concern over plastic bag waste in California. The bill prohibits grocery and other stores from providing customers with single-use plastic or paper carryout bags. Instead, stores are permitted to sell recycled paper bags and reusable bags for a fee, with a minimum charge of $0.10 per bag. This fee is not a tax but a way to encourage the use of reusable bags and reduce the environmental impact of single-use bags.
The proposition was supported by various organizations, including the California Fish & Game Commission, the California League of Conservation Voters, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. These groups argued that the proposition would help the environment by reducing litter, protecting oceans and wildlife, and reducing cleanup costs.
However, Proposition 67 was opposed by four large out-of-state plastic bag companies and the American Progressive Bag Alliance (APBA), which argued against bag bans and taxes. Despite the opposition, the proposition passed with a slim majority, demonstrating California's commitment to phasing out plastic bags and addressing the issue of plastic pollution.
Following the passage of Proposition 67, California has continued to strengthen its plastic bag restrictions. In 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1053 into law, further curbing the provision of single-use carryout bags and encouraging consumers to bring their own reusable bags. These stricter rules will come into effect in 2026, with ongoing efforts to reduce plastic bag waste and promote environmental consciousness among consumers.
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The proposition bans single-use plastic bags and permits the sale of recycled bags
California has a single-use plastic bag ban, SB 270, which was approved by the governor and filed with the Secretary of State on September 30, 2014. The bill prohibits certain stores from providing customers with plastic single-use bags and charges $0.10 for other types of bags. Stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag, and they are required to provide a reusable grocery bag or a recycled paper bag free of charge to customers using specific payment methods. Stores are not allowed to require customers to purchase a bag.
The law will only go into effect in areas without their own laws regarding single-use plastic bags. The bill also encourages the use of reusable bags, which are more environmentally friendly than single-use plastic or paper bags. Reusable bags made from 40% recycled polyethylene have a lower environmental footprint than any single-use bag after as few as 8 uses.
Proposition 67 was a California ballot proposition on November 8, 2016, that aimed to uphold SB 270. A “Yes” vote approved a statute that prohibits grocery and other stores from providing customers with single-use plastic or paper carryout bags but permits the sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags for a fee. Proposition 67 passed with 53% of the vote.
California's SB 1053, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2024, strengthens the state's existing restrictions on single-use carryout bags. The legislation aims to further curb plastic pollution by prohibiting stores from providing most plastic bags at checkout, leaving consumers to bring their own reusable bags or pay a fee for recycled paper or reusable bags.
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Stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which was approved by the governor and filed with the Secretary of State on September 30, 2014. The bill prohibits certain stores from providing customers with plastic single-use bags and charges $0.10 for other types of bags. These requirements apply only in areas that did not already have single-use carryout bag laws at the time.
In 2016, California Proposition 67 was a ballot proposition to uphold Senate Bill 270. A “Yes” vote was to approve a statute that prohibits grocery and other stores from providing customers with single-use plastic or paper carryout bags but permits the sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags for a fee. Proposition 67 passed with 53% of the vote, upholding Senate Bill 270.
Under SB 270, stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag. The stores that sell bags keep the money and must use it to cover costs. Stores cannot require customers to purchase a bag. The law encourages the use of reusable bags, which have a lower environmental impact than single-use bags.
In 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1053 into law, strengthening the state's existing restrictions on single-use carryout bags. The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2026 and focuses only on checkout bags. It aims to further curb plastic pollution by prohibiting stores from providing most plastic bags at checkout, leaving consumers to bring their own reusable bags or pay a fee for recycled paper or reusable bags.
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The proposition upholds Senate Bill 270
California's Proposition 67, a ballot proposition on November 8, 2016, saw voters approve a statute prohibiting grocery and other stores from providing customers with single-use plastic or paper carryout bags. The proposition, which passed with 53% of the vote, upheld Senate Bill 270, banning plastic shopping bags. This bill, approved by the governor and filed with the Secretary of State on September 30, 2014, prohibits certain stores from giving customers plastic single-use bags and charges $0.10 for other bag types.
The proposition's passage continued California's efforts to phase out plastic bags, with nearly half the state already implementing bans. It also addressed the distribution of proceeds from disposable bag sales, with a related measure, Proposition 65, failing at the polls. Proposition 65 aimed to allocate these funds to environmental projects, but it received 54.8% "No" votes.
The implementation of Proposition 67 and the upholding of Senate Bill 270 carry significant implications for stores and consumers in California. Stores must now charge a minimum of $0.10 per bag for recycled paper or reusable bags, with the stores keeping this revenue to cover costs. Notably, stores cannot require customers to purchase a bag, and customers have the option to refuse to buy any bags offered. The law encourages the use of reusable bags, and customers who bring their own bags no longer need to supplement the cost of other shoppers' bags.
The impact of Proposition 67 and Senate Bill 270 extends beyond the financial aspects of bag usage. The reduction in single-use plastic bag distribution has environmental benefits, including decreased litter in creeks, parks, roadsides, and storm drains. Additionally, reusable bags made from 40% recycled polyethylene have a lower environmental footprint than single-use bags after just eight uses. The law also promotes the use of compostable bags that meet the specifications of the American Society of Testing and Materials International Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics D6400.
In conclusion, California's Proposition 67 upholds Senate Bill 270, marking a significant step in the state's efforts to reduce plastic bag waste and encourage the use of reusable and environmentally friendly alternatives. The proposition's passage reflects the voters' decision to support a more sustainable future for California, with positive environmental consequences already being observed.
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The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2026
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which prohibits certain stores from providing customers with plastic single-use bags and charges $0.10 for other types of bags. The bill was approved by the governor and filed with the Secretary of State on September 30, 2014.
On September 22, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1053 into law, strengthening the state’s existing restrictions on single-use carryout bags. The new bill will go into effect on January 1, 2026, and focuses only on checkout bags, not bags used to hold produce or wrap food that could cause contamination, such as meat. The bill aims to further curb plastic pollution by prohibiting stores from providing most plastic bags at checkout, leaving consumers to bring their own reusable bags or pay a fee for recycled paper or reusable bags.
The new bill will replace SB 270, which will remain in full effect until January 1, 2026. Until this date, stores may sell reusable plastic bags made with recycled content or recycled paper bags. Stores must charge at least $0.10 per bag, and they are required to provide a reusable grocery bag or a recycled paper bag free of charge to customers using certain payment methods, such as WIC/SNAP.
The passing of the bill is a significant step towards reducing plastic bag waste in California, with nearly half the state having already banned plastic bags. The bill will help to protect the environment by reducing litter, protecting oceans and wildlife, and reducing cleanup costs. Additionally, reusable bags made from 40% recycled polyethylene have a lower environmental impact than single-use bags after just eight uses and are mandated to be used 125 times.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, California voted to pay for plastic bags.
The vote was called Proposition 67.
Proposition 67 was a vote to approve or reject a statute that prohibits grocery and other stores from providing customers with single-use plastic or paper carryout bags.
Yes, Proposition 67 passed with 53% of the vote.
With the passing of Proposition 67, Senate Bill 270, which bans plastic shopping bags, was upheld and went into full effect.
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