California Legislature Advances Bill to Eliminate Plastic Bags from Grocery Checkouts
California Legislature Passes Bill to Ban Plastic Bags at Grocery Checkouts
Legislation aimed at banning plastic bags from grocery store checkouts has successfully passed both the California State Assembly and Senate. The identical bills, SB 1053 and AB 2236, were co-authored by Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda). The bills seek to close a loophole in California's 2016 ban on single-use plastic bags, which allowed stores to sell thicker, reusable plastic bags that ultimately have not been effectively recycled.
Since the initial ban, the volume of plastic bags disposed of in California has risen by 47%, according to CalRecycle. The new legislation intends to honor the original intent of the 2016 law by removing plastic bags from checkout lines altogether. Consumers will now only be offered paper bags at checkout, significantly reducing plastic waste in the state.
Sen. Blakespear emphasized the importance of eliminating plastic bags to protect the environment, while Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan underscored the need to ensure a cleaner future for California's communities. Both bills will return to their respective houses for final votes before being sent to the governor for approval.
