CALIFORNIA – The California State Senate and Assembly both approved legislation – Senate Bill 1053 and Assembly Bill 2236, August 29, that would ban all plastic grocery bags.

Previously, a law banning plastic grocery bags in 2014, allowed grocery stores to provide plastic bags to customers as long as they were reusable and recyclable. 

Stores began providing thicker plastic bags that plastic companies said met the requirements. 

However, a California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) survey found that only 2% of observed customers brought back a thick plastic bag to reuse.

Furthermore, they found that no municipal recycling facility in California accepts them resulting in plastic bag waste by weight at an all-time high. 

Customers are encouraged to bring a bag or purchase a paper bag

CALPIRG says customers are encouraged to bring their own bag, but can still get a paper bag at checkout for a fee. 

SB 1053 passed the State Assembly Thursday with an initial vote of 56-7 and AB 2236 passed the State Senate Wednesday with a vote of 31-8.  

The bills need one final concurrence vote in each house and then will head to the Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for signature.

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