Grocery Store Law To Change Shopping in California

Newsweek -  Shoppers in California will no longer be able to get plastic bags for their shopping starting in 2026.

The measure, passed by state lawmakers in 2024, eliminates all plastic shopping bags on offer in stores beginning in 2026. Shoppers who arrive without their own bags will instead be offered a paper bag upon request.

"SB 1053 places new restrictions on the types of bags distributed at the point of sale by most grocery stores, retail stores with a pharmacy, convenience stores, food marts and liquor stores," according to the CalRecycle website.

Plastic bags are harmful to the environment because they are made from fossil fuels, take hundreds of years to breakdown, and often end up as litter in waterways, oceans, and natural habitats. Once discarded, they can injure or kill wildlife that mistake them for food or become entangled in them.

As they degrade, plastic bags break into microplastics that contaminate soil and water, entering the food chain and threatening ecosystems and human health. Their widespread use and low recycling rates mean they accumulate rapidly, contributing significantly to pollution and environmental damage.