California Rings the New Year with a New Plastic Bag Ban

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...