California’s 2026 Plastic Bag Crackdown with Fines

Starting January 1, 2026, California will enforce a comprehensive ban on all single-use plastic bags at retailers, with mandatory recycled paper bags or reusable alternatives offered for at least a $0.10 charge. Retailers violating the law may face escalating fines—from $1,000 to $5,000 per day—while recycled paper bags must by 2028 include at least 50% post-consumer content. This expands upon the initial 2014 ban and targets thicker bag varieties that were once labeled “reusable,” positioning California as a national leader in plastic pollution reduction