California will ban “recyclable” plastic produce bags starting in 2026.

Question

This claim is legit, but a little stretched. The “recyclable bags” which are already used aren’t actually recyclable, so yes they’re banned, but actual materials used for bags that can be recycled aren’t banned.  I fact-checked it through CalRecycle, which lays out the full timeline of the bag bans under SB 270 and SB 1046. Starting January 1, 2025, stores can only offer compostable or recycled paper bags for produce. Then in 2026, even the so-called “recyclable” plastic carryout bags are out. I also checked legal summaries and news coverage from ABC7 and PackagingLaw, which all confirm the same rollout. The Sacramento Bee article I started with lines up with everything I found.

Answer 1

This is true. According to CalRecycle, stores will be selling single-use plastic bags until January 1, 2026 due to California's single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270. Up until this date,  stores can sell reusable plastic bags or recycled paper bags. The ban requires stores to charge at least 10 cents per bag, and to use this money to cover the costs of educational materials/an educational campaign as well as compliance with the ban.

Sources:

https://calrecycle.ca.gov/plastics/carryoutbags/

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PRC&division=30.&title=&part=3.&chapter=5.3.&article=3.

Answer 2

This post is correct, although you do need to layout what else is happening. This is apart of a bigger change and move toward all bags being recyclable materials. StartingJjanuary1st, 2028, "recycled paper bags distributed at stores must contain at least 50% postconsumer recycled materials." Taken from the same website you provided.

Answer 3

This fact-check is true to some extent. According the an article by Hunton Andrews Kurth, California has passed on a ban on all plastic bags which will take affect on Janauary 1st, 2026. Shoppers will not have the ability to receive and purchase plastic bags at grocery stores. Any single-use bags that are not recyclable will be banned. The article states, "the ban does not apply to bags used before the point of sale, such as produce bags and overwrap for fresh meat."  This quote from the article is contradicting because grocery stores are wanting to get rid of plastic bags entirely but there are other products they are selling that require plastic. Back in 2014, there was a bill passed to have grocery stores make thicket and bigger bags that shoppers could use but most consumers did not reuse the bags. In order for action to happen on resolving the plastic waste issue, there is a senate bill that encourages shoppers to bring their own bags or "they can purchase recycled paper bags at check."  Another very helpful way to reduce the amount of plastic waste is recycling the plastic into the paper bags. Yes I believe this fact-check is somewhat true.