California Bans All Plastic Bags by 2026

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law eradicating the choice of "paper or plastic" at grocery store checkouts. This measure, effective 2026, bans all plastic shopping bags statewide, a significant step beyond the existing ban on thin plastic bags. Shoppers without their own bags will now choose between carrying their goods or opting for paper alternatives.

State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, championing the legislation, highlighted the failure of prior bans to cut plastic usage. A study revealed a rise in trashed plastic bags from 8 pounds per person in 2004 to 11 pounds in 2021. Blakespear emphasized, "We are literally choking our planet with plastic waste," underlining the environmental urgency behind the bill.

Environmental advocates heralded the law, with Christy Leavitt from Oceana praising California's leadership in addressing plastic pollution. The California Public Interest Research Group reiterated that plastic bags contribute to pollution and microplastics, necessitating this legislative revision. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)