California’s Grocery Plastic Bag Ban Is Here: What Brands Should Be Offering Instead
Starting January 1, 2026, grocery shopping across California officially enters a new phase.
Under California’s updated carryout bag regulations, plastic grocery bags (including those previously labeled “reusable”) can no longer be provided at checkout. Retailers are now limited to offering paper bags (for a fee) or encouraging customers to bring their own reusable alternatives.
This shift builds on earlier legislation (SB 270) and was expanded through more recent updates, closing loopholes around thicker plastic bags. According to CalRecycle, the result is clear: plastic carryout bags are no longer part of California’s grocery experience.
And while the intention is environmental progress, the reality at checkout tells a different story.
Paper bags weren’t designed for real grocery runs
Glass bottles. Sparkling water. Sauces, oils, and heavier pantry staples.
Paper grocery bags, now the default option at many stores, simply aren’t built for weight, moisture, or repeat use. A short walk from the checkout line to the parking lot is often enough for handles to tear and groceries to spill.
These aren’t edge cases. They’re everyday shopping moments Californians are now encountering more frequently as plastic bags disappear.
What the regulation actually requires (and why it matters)
California’s carryout bag rules don’t just remove plastic, they change behavior.
According to CalRecycle’s official guidance:
- Stores may not provide plastic carryout bags at checkout
- Paper bags must meet specific requirements and are typically subject to a minimum charge
- The responsibility increasingly shifts to shoppers to bring reusable bags
- Enforcement is handled locally, meaning compliance is now part of day-to-day retail operations
In other words, reusable bags are no longer optional accessories, they’re a practical necessity.
What this means for brands, companies, and employers
Whenever regulations change daily habits, expectations change with them.
Employees, clients, and customers are actively adjusting how they shop, and they notice which brands help make that transition easier.
This is where branded grocery tote bags quietly become one of the most relevant brand touchpoints available today.
Not as a novelty. Not as short-term swag. But as something people genuinely rely on.
Why branded grocery totes work so well right now
From a brand perspective, grocery totes offer rare alignment between usefulness and visibility:
- Designed for real weight, not single use
- Used weekly, not seasonally
- Seen repeatedly in public, stores, and neighborhoods
- Aligned with sustainability goals without feeling performative
In a post-plastic-bag environment, these totes don’t feel promotional. They feel necessary which is exactly why they get used.
A smarter alternative to disposable giveaways
We’re seeing branded grocery totes work especially well for:
- Employee welcome kits and internal sustainability programs
- Client appreciation gifts that feel thoughtful rather than wasteful
- Community events, retail activations, and local partnerships
- Brands looking to replace short-lived swag with everyday essentials
Instead of ending up in a drawer, these totes earn a permanent place in daily routines, from grocery runs to farmers’ markets and weekend errands.
It’s time to save people from awkward grocery moments
California’s bag regulations aren’t temporary. They reflect a long-term shift in how people shop and what they carry with them.
It’s time to save your clients, customers, and employees from those awkward paper-bag moments while giving your brand a role in everyday life.
At Promomo Works, we help brands create customized grocery totes across different materials, price points, and styles, designed to meet real-world needs and align with California’s evolving retail landscape.
If you’re thinking about how your brand should respond to the new grocery reality, we’d be happy to explore options with you!