California Bans All Plastic Bags at Grocery Store Checkouts
Oceana applauds Governor Newsom and state legislators for reducing plastic pollution
Press Release Date: September 22, 2024
Location: SACRAMENTO, CALIF.
Contact:
Ariana Miller, Megan Jordan | email: amiller@oceana.org, mjordan@oceana.org | tel: Ariana Miller, 202.868.4061
Today, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1053, which bans the distribution of plastic bags, including thick plastic film bags, at grocery and convenience store checkouts in California. California state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1053 on August 30, 2024. Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) championed this legislative effort. The ban will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
Ten years ago, California adopted the first statewide bag ban in the country with the passage of Senate Bill 270, but the law did not eliminate thicker plastic film bags at grocery and convenience stores. Since 2016, more plastic bags (by weight) have been thrown away compared to before the state’s bag ban was implemented. A study conducted by CalRecycle found an estimated around 460,000 lbs. of single-use plastic bags in California’s municipal waste in 2021.
“Oceana applauds the California Legislature and Governor Newsom for safeguarding California’s coastline, marine life, and communities from single-use plastic grocery bags,” said Christy Leavitt, Oceana’s plastics campaign director. “The new ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery store checkouts solidifies California as a leader in tackling the global plastic pollution crisis. Plastic bags are one of the deadliest types of plastic to ocean wildlife. With an ocean-based economy valued at $45 billion annually, California is dependent on a clean coast. Not only is plastic tarnishing California’s beaches, but it’s in our food, air, water, and even our bodies. Our state and national elected leaders should continue to adopt new policies to stop plastic pollution at the source.”
A statewide poll released by Oceana revealed that 86% of California voters support local and state policies that reduce single-use plastic, and 92% of California voters are concerned about single-use plastic products like grocery bags, beverage bottles, and takeout food containers.
Background
Plastic has been found in every corner of the world and has turned up in drinking water, beer, salt, honey, and more. It’s also one of the greatest contributors to climate change. In fact, if plastic were a country, it would be the fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. With plastic production growing at a rapid rate, increased amounts of plastic can be expected to flood our blue planet with devastating consequences.
A 2020 Oceana report revealed evidence of nearly 1,800 animals from 40 different species swallowing or becoming entangled in plastic in U.S. waters between 2009 and early 2020. Of those animals, a staggering 88% were from species listed as endangered or threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act.
Less than 6% of plastic in the U.S. is recycled, yet the plastics industry continues to tout recycling as a panacea while pushing new plastic products onto the market. Companies need to dramatically reduce the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic, provide plastic-free choices, and develop systems that refill and reuse packaging and foodware. Elected officials must enact policies to ensure they do so.
In July 2024, Oceana released the results of a nationwide poll of American voters that showed broad bipartisan support for reducing single-use plastics and increasing the use of reusable packaging and foodware. Polling was conducted by the nonpartisan polling company Ipsos, which surveyed 1,053 registered U.S. voters from June 28 to 30, 2024. Included among the key findings:
- 3 in 4 American voters support national, state, and local policies that reduce single-use plastic.
- 84% support increasing the use of reusable packaging and food ware.
- 87% support policies to protect our rivers, lakes, and oceans from plastic pellet pollution.
To learn more about Oceana’s campaign to stop plastic pollution, please visit usa.oceana.org/plastics.
