Strengthen the Statewide Bag Ban in California! Eliminate ALL Plastic Bags

Victory! 

SB 1053 was signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 22, 2024. This law improves California’s initial ban to ensure consumers use either reusable or paper bags. The legislation requires stores to provide paper bags with a minimum of 50% postconsumer recycled material and continues to encourage consumers to use reusable bags. 

Surfrider was pivotal in passing the nation’s first statewide bag ban ten years ago. Since then, we’ve seen an overall decline in plastic bags, but the thicker plastic bags are still causing problems.

These disposable plastic bags are not recyclable, harm wildlife and our environment, clog sewage drains, contaminate our drinking water, and break down into toxic microplastics that accumulate in our oceans and landfills.