Reminder: Plastic Checkout Bags Officially Banned Statewide As California’s New Law Takes Effect

California is now in the midst of one of its biggest environmental policy shifts in years as a new statewide law officially eliminates all plastic checkout bags, including the thicker “reusable” versions that became common after the state’s first plastic-bag ban in 2016.

As of January 1, 2026, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, and other retail shops are no longer allowed to offer any type of plastic carryout bag at checkout. The change is part of a broader effort to reduce plastic waste that frequently ends up in landfills, waterways, and the ocean.

For nearly a decade, California allowed retailers to offer heavier-duty plastic bags for a small fee, as long as the bags met reuse standards. Environmental groups and lawmakers argued those bags were rarely reused and instead contributed to more pollution. Many cities reported rising numbers of discarded “reusable” plastic bags littering streets and clogging recycling systems not designed to process them.

Under the new rules now in effect, retailers are limited to paper bags made from recycled material, which may still be offered for a minimum 10-cent charge. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable cloth or durable bags whenever possible. The ban does not apply to plastic bags used before checkout for unwrapped food items such as produce, bulk goods, or meat.