The California legislature has approved a bill that will significantly alter the state's regulations on carry-out bags.
Assembly Bill 2236, passed on August 31, introduces stricter rules aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting the use of recycled materials.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- A ban on all single-use carry-out bags that are not made from recycled paper.
- An increase in the recycled content requirement for paper bags, set to take effect on January 1, 2028. From this date, recycled paper bags must contain at least 50% post-consumer recycled content.
These changes represent a significant shift in California's approach to reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable packaging options. The ban on non-paper single-use bags is expected to further decrease the use of plastic bags in retail settings across the state.
The bill now moves to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for consideration. The governor has until September 30 to either sign the bill into law or veto it. If signed, the new regulations will join California's existing efforts to curb plastic pollution and promote recycling.
