USA California seals ban on supermarket plastic bags

The most populous US state, California, has introduced a complete ban on plastic bags for food retailers. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law on Sunday (local time) that will come into force in January 2026.

Thin plastic bags have been banned in California since 2014 and this regulation is now being extended. Until now, the distribution of thick-walled, reusable plastic bags was still permitted in California. However, as the Los Angeles Times reported, according to activists, these bags were hardly ever reused or recycled.

Christy Leavitt, head of plastics at the marine conservation organization Oceana, praised the move. With the complete ban on plastic bags, California is consolidating its "leadership role in combating the global plastic waste crisis". The regulation would protect "the coast, marine life and people" in the state from single-use plastic bags.