BAG BAN: Target and Walmart set to make sweeping change to all of their stores across US state – and it’s signed into law
According to The Sun, Shoppers in California will need to prepare for a significant shift as Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law banning plastic bags from major retailers such as Target and Walmart.
Details of the Ban
Starting January 1, 2026, all plastic shopping bags will be prohibited in grocery stores. This change means that the familiar question of “paper or plastic” will be a thing of the past at shopping centers like Sam’s Club and Kroger. Customers who forget to bring their reusable bags will have the option of requesting a paper bag for their purchases, as the ban specifically targets checkout bags rather than the typical plastic bags used for raw produce.
A Decade in the Making
This legislative move follows a decade-long effort by lawmakers to eliminate plastic bags. In 2014, a law was enacted that banned thin plastic shopping bags, but it left a loophole allowing the sale of thicker plastic bags. Unfortunately, these thicker bags resulted in an increase in plastic waste as shoppers often did not reuse or recycle them.
Laura Deehan, director of Environment California, highlighted the issue, stating, “There was a sudden surge in these much thicker plastic bags… the grocery stores felt like they met the definition of a reusable plastic bag, but what we found is that they’re really not being reused at all.” A study revealed that the average Californian’s plastic bag waste increased from eight pounds in 2004 to 11 pounds by 2021.
When presented with the new measure in a 2016 referendum, Californians overwhelmingly supported the initiative. Jenn Engstrom from the California Public Interest Research Group noted that the law “clearly needed a redo,” emphasizing the environmental hazards posed by plastic bags, which contribute to pollution and microplastics contaminating drinking water.
Additional Changes to Recycling Standards
The law also revises the definition of recyclable bags. Starting in 2028, only bags made with 50% recycled material will be classified as recyclable, further pushing for sustainability in the state.
Mixed Reactions
While environmentalists applaud the ban as a necessary step toward reducing plastic waste, some critics have voiced their frustrations online, arguing that the governor should focus on pressing issues such as crime and homelessness. Comments on social media included sentiments like, “He could do more better things than this… we are dealing with bigger problems.”
A Trend Across the Country
California’s initiative follows a trend in which hundreds of cities across 28 states have already implemented plastic bag bans. Notably, Connecticut and Delaware rolled out similar laws in 2021 and 2022, respectively, while New York has enforced a ban on plastic bags for over four years, with certain exceptions.
As California prepares for this major change, shoppers will need to adapt and stock up on reusable bags to comply with the new regulations.
