SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is renewing its fight against plastic bags. In 2014, the state banned lightweight single-use bags from being offered in grocery stores and pharmacies.
There was an exemption made for thicker plastic bags that were seen as reusable, but the increased availability of thicker plastic bags has only increased the amount of plastic waste.
“Nobody was really reusing [the thick plastic bags] and there was nowhere in California that recycles them,” said state senator Catherine Blakespear.
A study from CalRecycle found the amount of plastic waste in California has increased by 47% since the law was enacted.
Blackspear and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan authored SB 1053 and AB 2236, respectively. Both bills would completely ban the offering of plastic carryout bags in stores.
Both lawmakers emphasized the reason for the ban is to help keep California waterways clean. Both bills were supported by environmentalist groups throughout the legislative process.
“Those thicker plastic bags end up in the oceans, in our landfills, blowing around in our streets. It ends up in our wildlife and in our bodies,” Blakespear said.
Stores would only be allowed to provide paper bags at checkout.
Both bills need one more floor vote in the legislature before they can be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The last day of the legislative session is Aug. 31.
If signed, the laws would go into effect in 2026.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: Recycling facility fire causes large plume of smoke to be seen across Sacramento
