California has become the first state to prohibit all plastic shopping bags at grocery store checkouts. When the new law goes into force in 2026, customers who do not bring their own reusable bags will only be able to choose paper bags. Currently, 12 states have some type of statewide plastic bag ban, while hundreds of communities in 28 states have passed municipal restrictions. With the new regulation going into force in 2026, grocery businesses will have enough time to phase out their plastic bag inventory and convert completely to paper or reusable alternatives. Oceana, an environmental charity, said the restriction will safeguard California’s shoreline and marine life from the negative consequences of plastic garbage.

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