Fresno shoppers on plastic bag ban: ‘I’m not happy about it’

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Governor Gavin Newsom’s new plastic bag ban will not go into effect for another couple of years, but some Fresno shoppers are already reacting to the new legislation.

Some shoppers say they are already using reusable, recyclable bags, for their shopping.

“My wife’s always prepared, but I’m always slacking with the plastic bags, so I will definitely be using paper more,” California resident Dezmond Lemke said.

Fresno shoppers reacted to the news that all plastic bags will be removed from California stores beginning in 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on Sept. 22.

“We have to be conscious about our climate change. So little by little we can make the difference. So that’s really a good yes for me,” shopper Marcela Figueroa said.

“Oh, I’m not happy about it, but I do understand that we really don’t want that much plastic around so I guess I’ll have to bear with it. But are they going to give me paper bags and still charge me 10 cents?” California resident Verna Jackson said.

The answer to Jackson’s question is yes – paper bags currently cost 10 cents per bag. Shoppers have mixed feelings toward plastic bags coming to an end. Some said the new law will benefit the environment.

“I think it’s a relatively smart idea. I think we get toward more reusable bags, and that way you’re not seeing them on the side of the road,” shopper Ryan Harvey said.

Other shoppers have already moved on from using plastic bags.

“I probably will spend about $152 for the groceries right now. And if I didn’t bring my own bags right now, I probably would need at least eight bags. $0.80 isn’t much, but for people that may not be able to afford it adds up,” California resident Luis Gonzales said.

“Maybe it would be an inconvenience if you don’t have your own bags or if you forget yours. But in terms of getting it from the store to your car, most people are using a shopping cart anyway, and then getting it from inside your house to your vehicle or your apartment to your vehicle might be a bigger inconvenience when you get home,” Harvey said.

In August of this year, the California Public Interest Research Group conducted a survey that found only 2% of shoppers were reusing those recyclable plastic bags – providing further justification for the new law.

“It’ll probably force people to start doing what I’m doing, which is saving their bags. They start getting their own reusable bags,” Gonzales said.

Back in 2014, California became the first state to pass legislation that banned plastic bags. However, stores could still sell them if they were reusable or recyclable.

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