New Statewide Law Will Change Grocery Shopping for Millions in 2026
Grocery shopping in California is about to undergo a major shift. Starting January 1, 2026, a new statewide rule will change what shoppers can carry home from stores. The familiar checkout question is disappearing, and in its place comes a system designed to push consumers toward sustainability.
A New Era for Checkout Practices
The phrase “paper or plastic” will no longer be offered at grocery stores. Under the new law, plastic carryout bags of any thickness will be prohibited at checkout counters, closing the loophole that allowed heavier plastic bags to replace thin ones banned years earlier. Shoppers will need to bring their own bags or purchase paper bags made to meet updated recycling standards.
Why the Change Was Needed
California’s earlier plastic bag ban aimed to reduce waste but unintentionally led to a surge in thicker plastic bags. Studies cited by lawmakers show that these bags were rarely reused and often discarded after a single use, increasing the plastic entering landfills. The state found that plastic bag waste per person rose significantly between 2004 and 2021, highlighting the need for a stricter approach.
What Stores Can Offer Instead
Once the law takes effect, stores will no longer be allowed to distribute or sell plastic carryout bags at checkout. They may offer recycled paper bags for a minimum of 10 cents, a requirement meant to prevent subsidizing disposable bags. Additional exceptions apply to prescription bags, protective produce bags, and garment bags, which remain allowed under the revised definitions.
Stronger Standards for Paper Bags
Paper bags will now have stricter recycling requirements. By 2028, recycled paper bags must contain at least 50% postconsumer recycled material. These specifications ensure that paper alternatives support California’s broader waste-reduction goals while remaining compatible with curbside recycling programs across the state.
How Shoppers Will Notice the Difference
For most shoppers, the shift will be immediate. Instead of choosing among bag types, they will either use bags brought from home or pay for recycled paper bags at checkout. Grocery stores expect a transitional period similar to the original plastic bag ban rollout in 2014, when customers gradually adapted to consistently bringing reusable bags.
Environmental Concerns Behind the Ban
The law follows growing evidence that plastic grocery bags contribute significantly to pollution. Environmental groups note that plastic bags often clog recycling equipment, litter public spaces, and break down into microplastics that contaminate water systems. The stronger ban aligns with ongoing statewide efforts to reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
The Cost Factor for Consumers and Stores
Paper bags cost more to produce and purchase, which is why stores have long charged a fee for them. The law maintains the minimum 10-cent fee, ensuring that customers who need bags cover the cost without shifting expenses onto others. This pricing model also nudges consumers toward reusable options, which environmental advocates view as the long-term goal.
What Comes Next for Retailers
Retailers statewide must now prepare for compliance, which includes updating checkout procedures and informing customers of the upcoming changes. The law also gives smaller retailers the option to opt in voluntarily, aligning themselves with the state’s sustainability standards. As implementation begins, many stores anticipate increased sales of reusable totes and canvas bags.
How California Fits Into the National Landscape
California is one of several states tightening plastic bag regulations, but its ban is among the most sweeping. Twelve states now have some form of plastic bag restriction, and hundreds of U.S. cities enforce their own rules. Advocates say California’s latest move solidifies its role as a leader in combating plastic pollution and shaping nationwide policy trends.
