California strengthens plastic bag ban

(The Center Square) – A new law is closing what some officials have called a loophole in California’s plastic bag ban. Senate Bill 1053 was passed and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2024, but the law’s implementation was delayed, according to a representative for Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, who authored the legislation. “The legislation passed, and was signed in 2024, with a one-year delay in implementation, so stores could work through their inventory of plastic bags,” Andrew LaMar, a representative for Blakespear, wrote to The Center Square via email on Tuesday. Blakespear was unavailable for further comment on Tuesday, but said in a news release that the bill completes the state’s current plastic bag ban. “Californians have been ready and able to shop without plastic bags for a long time, and I’m glad SB 1053 finally follows through on the state’s original ban so we can effectively reduce plastic waste and better protect the environment,” Blakespear said. “The p