California legislature votes to ban single-use plastic produce bags

This August, the California legislature voted to ban the distribution of single-use plastic produce bags—another step in the right direction to move California beyond plastic. The bill, SB 1046 by Senator Susan Eggman, requires that “pre checkout” bags distributed by stores meet recycling and composting standards beginning in January 2025. 

In addition to decreasing the amount of plastic that we generate and throw away daily, the legislation will reduce plastic contamination in compost waste streams. A lot of the plastic produce bags we currently use end up in compost waste, which increases microplastic content in compost, and thus, the soil that grows our food and supports natural life. Decreasing the amount of plastic that enters the soil is an essential step in mitigating the damage posed to our environment and public health by plastic production. 

It is now in the hands of the Governor to sign SB 1046 into law, which he should do promptly so that California can continue to lead the way on strong plastics regulation.