California’s tightened plastic bag ban took full effect Thursday, leaving shoppers with fewer options at checkout — and mixed feelings about what comes next.
CHICO, Calif. – California’s tightened plastic bag ban took full effect Thursday, leaving shoppers with fewer options at checkout — and mixed feelings about what comes next.
Under Senate Bill 1053, most grocery and retail stores statewide may now offer only reusable bags or recycled paper bags, which cost at least 10 cents each. Traditional single-use plastic bags are no longer allowed.
At Winco In Chico, some shoppers arrived prepared, bringing their own reusable bags. Others improvised, reusing plastic bags they had saved from previous trips.
“I recycle them. I use them all the time,” one shopper said, referring to plastic bags brought from home. “Less resources are wasted.”
Many customers said they understand the intent of the law, noting plastic bags are often discarded after a single use and can harm the environment.
“I’ll miss the plastic bags because they’re better than the paper bags,” another shopper said. “But it’s better for the environment.”
Still, the transition has not been seamless. Several shoppers said paper bags present practical problems — especially during winter weather, saying paper bags lack durability.
“I don’t like it because paper bags just aren’t durable, especially when it starts raining,” the shopper said. “Once it gets wet, everything is going to break apart.”
Paper bags continue to cost 10 cents apiece, but some shoppers are opting to skip bags altogether — particularly when buying only a few items.
“We don’t need them,” one customer said, carrying groceries out by hand.
State officials say the law is aimed at reducing plastic waste while encouraging consumers to shift toward reusable options. Even paper bags will face stricter standards in the coming years. By 2028, paper bags sold in California must contain at least 50 percent recycled content.
For now, shoppers are adjusting — one bag, or no bag, at a time.