As of January 1, 2026 California has eliminated single-use plastic bags from the checkout of every grocery store, liquor store, convenience store, and pharmacy. Now that it has been in effect for one month, here is what the law entails, its potential impact, and how transitioning to reusable bags can help reduce plastic waste, enhance your brand presence, and grow revenue as a general merchandise item.

 

What Senate Bill 1053 covers and why it matters

Under Senate Bill 1053, stores can no longer offer single-use plastic checkout bags. Stores can provide paper bags, as long as they contain a minimum of 40% postconsumer recycled content and are sold for at least $0.10 per bag. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bag or purchase a reusable bag. The law includes a few exemptions, allowing plastic bags for prescription medication, garment protection, and for produce and unwrapped food items such as meat or fish.

Although California was an early adopter of the statewide bag ban in 2014, Proposition 67 (2016) created a loophole by allowing thicker 2.25 mil (mil = one thousandth of one inch) plastic bags, which were rarely reused and difficult to recycle despite being marketed as "reusable." After Californians generated nearly 231,000 tons of plastic bag waste in 2022 – an increase of 47% from 2014 despite the original bag ban – the new law closes the loophole and aims to cut plastic waste from entering waterways, while reducing microplastic pollution and protecting wildlife.

 

Real world evidence of bag ban effectiveness

According to the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup data (published in Science), plastic bag policies led to a 25–47% reduction of plastic bags in coastal environments.

The Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag, through Closed Loop Partners, highlights case studies that demonstrate the impact of bag bans:

• In Denver and Tucson during 2023, a retail initiative across 375 stores and 160 retailers achieved:
  • A 4.8% reduction in single-use bag usage across both cities.
  • An 11.7% drop in Denver alone—where legislation was already in place.
  • Prevention of up to 9.5 million single-use bags annually

In California, a Break Up With Single‑Use Bags campaign launched in mid-2025 across nearly 1,000 stores (Target, CVS, Ralphs, Food 4 Less) reached over 10 million customers. With unified signage, cashier prompts, and coordinated messaging, the effort helped shift consumer behavior ahead of the 2026 ban.

Though it's too early to know any waste-reduction results of SB 1053, there are early indicators that suggest impact:

• County and city agencies report widespread compliance and deployment of signage
• Plastic bag sales into California have stopped following enforcement actions and settlements

National Implications

California's SB 1053 represents a sweeping change with the potential to set a blueprint for the next phase of plastics regulation within other states:

• Sets a higher bar for future laws: SB 1053 is the first statewide law to ban plastic checkout bags entirely, which closed loopholes that undermined earlier bans. If the law shows a meaningful impact in reducing plastic waste, other states and jurisdictions are likely to follow
• Multi-state retailers will standardize to California: To maintain consistency and control costs, national chains may adopt bag systems that comply with California's standards, even if certain locations do not have formal bans
• Accelerates broader plastics reform: SB 1053 aligns with California’s extended producer responsibility policy SB 54, which redesigns the entire packaging system over time by requiring producers to reduce, redesign, and pay for packaging waste. This marks a shift from consumer-focused behavior changes to producer-focused system accountability

 

Benefits of switching to Reusable Bags

• Durability & Longevity: Cloth or woven tote bags are built to last, easily withstanding 100+ uses, making them far more sustainable than single-use alternatives.
• Lower Environmental Footprint: Because they don’t need to be manufactured and shipped as frequently, reusable bags generate significantly less resource use and waste. 
• Cost Savings Over Time: While paper bags cost at least $0.10 each, bringing reusable bags means those costs disappear entirely—paying off with every trip.0
• Mobile Marketing for Retailers: Branded reusable bags serve as walking advertisements, boosting retailer visibility and reinforcing customer loyalty with every use
• Revenue driver for Retailers: A thoughtful and well-designed reusable bag can drive revenue as a general merchandise item--especially when placed in highly visible areas near checkout, within seasonal aisles, and in center store
• Convenience & Versatility: Reusable bags are multi-purpose: they carry groceries, organize errands, and fold flat for easy storage in cars or by the door, ensuring you’re always prepared.