California is writing an important new chapter in environmental protection, and the story offers valuable lessons for anyone who cares about creating a cleaner, healthier planet.

Starting January 1, 2026, California implemented a strengthened carryout bag law that demonstrates something remarkable: the willingness to learn from past mistakes and course-correct for the greater good. The new regulations eliminate all plastic checkout bags at grocery stores and major retailers statewide, replacing them with recycled paper bags sold for a minimum of 10 cents.

What makes this story particularly inspiring is California's honest reckoning with an earlier law that didn't work as intended. When the state first banned thin plastic bags in 2014 under SB 270, retailers simply switched to thicker plastic bags that technically qualified as "reusable" but were often thrown away after one use. Instead of reducing plastic waste, many stores actually increased their plastic consumption because the thicker bags contained more material.

Rather than doubling down on a flawed approach, California lawmakers listened to the data and took meaningful action. Roberto Escobar, an environmental advisor and general counsel, explains that the new law "decisively closes the 'thick plastic' loophole" that emerged from the earlier legislation.

The state's journey reveals something heartening about environmental progress: it's not always a straight line, and that's perfectly okay. Real change requires experimentation, honest assessment, and the courage to try again with better information.

Under the updated rules, covered stores including supermarkets, large retailers with pharmacies, liquor stores, and convenience outlets can now provide only recycled paper carryout bags at checkout. By 2028, these paper bags must contain at least 50 percent post-consumer recycled content, creating steady demand for recycled materials and supporting the circular economy.

The Ripple Effect

California's willingness to refine its approach sends powerful ripples far beyond its borders. As the world's fifth-largest economy, the state's regulatory choices influence manufacturing standards, retail practices, and environmental policies across the country and around the globe.

The law demonstrates that effective environmental protection requires ongoing learning and adaptation. While Escobar notes that the current approach focuses on material types rather than comprehensive lifecycle metrics like carbon intensity or water use, this represents an important stepping stone. California is building a foundation of practical experience that will inform even more sophisticated regulations in the future.

Perhaps most encouraging is what this story reveals about civic engagement and democratic responsiveness. Voters ratified the original bag law, consumers and retailers provided real-world feedback about its shortcomings, researchers documented the outcomes, and legislators acted on that information to create better policy.

The transition also supports local recycling industries by guaranteeing demand for post-consumer recycled paper, creating green jobs and economic opportunities in waste recovery and material processing sectors.

California's bag law evolution isn't just about reducing plastic at checkout counters. It's about building the institutional knowledge, regulatory frameworks, and public will necessary to tackle larger environmental challenges ahead. Every lesson learned brings us closer to truly sustainable solutions that protect both people and planet.