Back in 2016, Californians voted through a ban on single-use plastic bags. However, in the years since, bag waste has hugely increased in the Golden State.
As a result, lawmakers revisited the law, and, late on Wednesday night, passed 2 bills to modify the approach in an attempt to redress the trend.
Trend Setters
California paved the way for this type of legislation on plastics when they passed a bag ban in 2014.
The state was the first in the nation to pass a ban on single-use plastic bags, and the precedent led to bans in other states.
Ban Upheld
The ban faced another test in 2016, when it was put to a public vote, but Californians voted to uphold the law.
However, supermarket chains continued to sell plastic bags regularly, by making thicker bags that could be classified as recyclable and reusable.
Wasteful
Following the 2014 ban, bag waste has actually increased, against the intentions of legislators.
CalRecycle estimated that the amount of grocery and merchandise bags that became waste increased by around 47% in the past decade.
Record Setting Plastic Waste
A study by the California Public Interest Research Group found that plastic bag waste reached record heights in 2021.
In the Golden State alone, an estimated 231,000 tons of plastic bag waste was generated.
Close the Loophole
The proposed bills would close the ‘recyclable’ and ‘reusable’ loophole that companies have used to circumvent the ban.
It is hoped that, following this action, the ban will be more successful in helping California achieve its climate goals.
Turtles and Seabirds
Speaking for Monterey Bay Aquarium and Ocean Conservancy, Jennifer Fearing emphasized the importance of the measures for protecting marine life.
“Plastic bag pollution is devastating to the ocean, especially to some of our most iconic megafauna, like turtles and seabirds.”
Change for Consumers
Consumers will feel the difference when they shop at large supermarket chains such as Target, as they will likely no longer find plastic bags in store.
Instead, they will be presented with 2 options: A reusable canvas bag, or a more environmentally friendly brown paper bag.
Plastic Opposition
The bill faced opposition from the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance, who questioned the effectiveness of the new legislation.
They released a statement which included: “This legislation will not reduce plastic use but merely substitute one form of plastic for another.”
An End to The Issue?
Jenn Engstrom, CALPIRG State Director, believes the bills will finally put the issue to bed.
“With today’s vote in the legislature, California is on track to finally ban plastic bags in grocery checkout lanes once and for all.”
