Plastic grocery bags could soon be illegal in California

California lawmakers have passed two bills that would make it illegal for grocery stores to provide any plastic bags for their customers.

Under an existing law passed a decade ago, stores are banned from giving out flimsy, disposable plastic bags, but are still allowed to offer thicker bags that are reusable and recyclable. However, advocates say that the option to use those thicker bags actually increased plastic bag waste over the last decade.

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The new bills would close the loophole and prohibit stores from offering plastic bags altogether.

After final procedural votes in the Senate and Assembly on Friday, the bills are expected to head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. He hasn’t commented on whether he’ll sign them, but he’s generally been supportive of efforts to reduce plastic waste.

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