California lawmakers voted to eliminate reusable plastic bags after eliminating single-use plastic bags failed to reduce plastic pollution.
“California’s original plastic bag ban has not worked as planned and, unfortunately, plastic bag waste in the state has increased dramatically since it went into effect,” said Senator Catherine Blakespear, author of the bill. law., in a sentence. “California must do its part to eliminate this scourge that is contaminating our environment.”
On Tuesday, California lawmakers in the state Senate and state Assembly voted to approve two identical bills that would restrict grocery stores and retailers from offering customers thicker, “reusable” bags made of plastic film.
California lawmakers voted to pass two identical bills that would restrict grocery stores from offering customers thicker, “reusable” bags made of plastic film. (Jeff Greenberg / Contributor)
BLUE STATE BAG BAN AIMED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT GOES AT A STUNNING RATE: STUDY
SB 1053 and AB 2236 would allow grocery stores to sell other types of reusable bags made of cloth, woven textiles, or other washable textiles that can carry at least 22 pounds for at least 300 uses. It also allows paper bags with at least 50% recycled paper content to be sold to customers for at least 10 cents each.
California implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags in 2016, but the law included an exception that allowed retailers to use plastic bags with a slightly thicker film layer, capable of having more than 125 uses and carrying a weight up to 22 pounds above. a distance of 175 feet.
However, the move to reduce plastic pollution backfired, with customers treating thicker “reusable” plastic bags as disposable. The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) reported an approximately 47% increase in plastic bag waste tonnage since 2014, despite the ban on single-use shopping bags.
CalRecycle has seen an approximately 47% increase in plastic bag waste tonnage since 2014, despite the ban on single-use shopping bags. (Getty Images)
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“California’s current bag ban law, which allows businesses to replace thin plastic bags with supposedly reusable ones at checkouts, is clearly not working,” said Jenn Engstrom, CALPIRG state director. a statement on Tuesday.
“Plastic companies that mass produce thicker bags are circumventing the purpose of the law,” he continued. “So, inevitably, discarded bags pollute our communities and environment. We are grateful that the state legislature is taking action to finally ban plastic bags once and for all.”
The bills will be reconciled between the chambers and then sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. If signed, the ban on reusable plastic bags would take effect on January 1, 2026.
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