California Plastic Bag Ban Increases Waste, Calls for Legislative Revisions
A recent editorial by the Los Angeles Times has called for a reevaluation of California's plastic bag ban, highlighting the unintended consequences that have actually worsened the state's plastic waste problem. According to the report, California's 2016 ban on single-use plastic grocery bags led to the widespread use of thicker, reusable plastic totes. However, these bags, intended as a more sustainable alternative, have not been reused as expected and are not recyclable, resulting in an increase in plastic waste.
A study referenced in the editorial found that the amount of plastic bag waste in California's landfills has significantly increased since the ban. In 2014, the state disposed of approximately 157,385 tons of plastic bag waste. By 2022, that number had risen to about 231,072 tons, marking nearly a 50% increase.
The editorial board argues that no one is directly to blame for the situation, citing a "loophole" that allowed businesses to provide thicker plastic bags for a small fee. These bags, often handed out freely by retailers, were discarded by consumers after a single use, contributing to the growing waste issue. Compounding the problem, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary suspension of the plastic bag ban due to sanitary concerns, further exacerbating plastic waste.
The Los Angeles Times is now advocating for a "do-over" with a more effective plastic bag ban. Two bills currently moving through the California legislature aim to address this issue by banning all plastic bags at grocery store checkouts by 2026, allowing only paper bags made from at least 50% recycled materials or "truly reusable" bags. The editorial also calls for expanding these measures to eliminate plastic bag use in farmers' markets, restaurants, and retail stores, and emphasizes the need for broader efforts to reduce disposable plastic packaging nationwide.
The editorial concludes by noting that California has already made strides in this direction with Senate Bill 54, which aims to phase out most plastic packaging by 2032. However, the board argues that the issue of plastic bags should be dealt with sooner, to prevent further environmental harm.
