By banning single-use plastic bags, AB 158 will reduce the environmental and economic impacts of single-use bag pollution in inland and coastal communities throughout the state.

The negative impact of single-use plastic bags is well-documented. Plastic bags and plastic film together represent 2.2% of the waste stream and these bags take more than 1,000 years to breakdown.  According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, it costs Californian’s $25 million to dispose of the 19 billion single-use bags used in the state annually.   

AB 158 will also encourage the use of reusable grocery bags as a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags.