You’re already in trouble if you’re still trying to “wait and see” about plastic bags. I’m sorry, but someone had to say it. The ban wave of 2026 isn’t coming; it’s already here, and California just closed the last gap that stores could use to act like those thicker “reusable” plastic bags were okay. (Surprise!) They weren’t. It was known by everyone. (Come on.)
The mess with rules we’re in
Okay, so here’s the deal. At this point, the country is pretty much three different ones.
You have your Ban-Forward States-19 of them, mostly expected ones like California, Hawaii, New York, Jersey, Oregon, and so on, plus Puerto Rico, which last July banned almost all plastic items to show everyone what it was all about. These states? They are no longer joking around. The big change for 2026 in California is that there will be no more thick plastic or lying; it’s just done deal. That won’t stay in California, either. You haven’t been paying attention to how this stuff moves around.
Then there are what I call the “Don’t You Dare” States. Arizona, Florida (oh, Florida), Idaho, Iowa, and a lot of other places. Cities are not allowed to ban plastic bags because of rules that have been passed. Which is, to be honest, crazy. It was done by a court order in Texas in 2018. It’s like they’re allergic to growth before it even happens. There is, however, pressure coming from below on even these states. People don’t care what the state assembly says as long as there is trash in their river.
Last but not least, the Wildcards. Now things start to get interesting. New Hampshire. New York. Wyoming. Georgia. West Virginia. In New Mexico. There isn’t yet a statewide ban in these states, but there aren’t any pre-emptive rules either. They are letting towns try new things, which means that the pressure is rising. There will be a big event, most likely during the next parliamentary session.
When will the next ban happen? There’s a chance that…
Massachusetts, without a doubt. Pay attention to the signs: Back in 2019, Lowell banned bags for bigger stores. In 2022, Walpole came next. It’s true that Governor Healey just banned plastic bottles for state organizations. Usually, statewide laws come after executive orders when a governor starts with them. They also have a huge majority of Democrats and a lot of people from the coast who have seen the trash in the harbor.
The second place goes to Maryland. In 2019, they already banned Styrofoam in businesses and schools, which was a big deal. They can’t really argue with “but muh plastic bags” when there are dead zones and watermen going out of business around the Chesapeake Bay. It’s coming.
Does New Mexico and Nevada? Big dark horses. Tourist economies hate it when places look trashy, and those surroundings are what make them appealing. Keep an eye out for proposals on the ballot—sometimes people just skip the whole legislature.
Well, Georgia and Pennsylvania might be possible. Philly and Atlanta both have rules about bags that city workers can’t bring. If those work and don’t destroy the local business, it gives lawmakers in the state a reason to support them. But let’s be honest: it’s the South and Pennsylvania, so it could go either way.
What Grocers Should Do Instead (Stop Kicking the Can)
Now is not the time for “compliance.” It’s about making sure you’re not caught off guard when your state goes from Wildcard to Ban-Forward overnight. This is what I think:
First, make a map of your shops. Really, do it. That small group in California? You need to get Bombay Bags today. Which ones are in Massachusetts? Trust me, you need them by the second quarter of 2025. Are you really going to risk your brand by being the last one standing when high school students in the area start a TikTok campaign against you? I didn’t believe that.
Second, get rid of plastic already. See what happened in Jersey? They banned paper as well as plastic for big shops. Only reuse is okay. That’s the end of the game, everyone. Paper is not a getaway route; at best, it’s a temporary fix. How do good reusable bags get to stores? It’s already tough. You’ll pay a lot more if you wait until 2026.
Third, and yes, I’m promoting Bombay Bags here, but bear with me they’re not just another seller. These days, everyone sells “reusable” bags, but most of them are weak junk that breaks after ten uses. Bombay Bags really gets it: their bags are durable, can be customized, and they know the rules. Queensland says bags have to last 125 uses. That’s not possible with most bags on the market. Bombay Bags can, so you’ll be in good shape when (not if) U.S. rules get that specific. Plus how good their branding is? Actually pretty good. Even after two washes, your image will still be there.
Fourth, move things along slowly for the people. Don’t expect hugs after swapping bags for the night. People don’t like change. Start small, like D.C. did charge a fee, maybe give points for bringing bags, and run some teaching stuff (but make it funny, not preachy). When someone asks why the bags were changed, teach your staff not to look like they’re missing something. Try it out in your progressive shops first to get rid of any bugs.
What You Need to Know About Bombay Bags
All the facts? I believe many companies that say they are “eco-friendly” are really just greenwashing. For this case, though, you should really choose bags that won’t fall apart and make you look cheap if you’re going to have to use them anyway. Bags from BombayBags last. They can be used again, not just “reusable(ish).” Quality is important in a world where your shopping bag is like a walking billboard for your business. Plenty.
Those cheap looking bags? People remember that they are trash after a few days. They remember the broken handle and the food that got spilled. But a good bag—people keep those. They wear them to the gym, to the beach, and for other things. Those are business impressions. That’s being loyal. That’s worth a little extra money.
Bottom Line for your Grocery store: what totes bags considerations you need to be aware of
The year 2026 is not very far away. It’s coming up. The EU’s push for fully recyclable packaging by 2030 is already having an effect on American lawmakers, and California’s new ban is sure to make a splash. This is taking place.
You can be the grocery store that freaks out in December 2025 and grabs any bags they can find, making customers mad with a sloppy release. You could also be smart and start now with a reliable partner like Bombay Bags. This could become something that makes you look good. You make the call.
What? Really? For one hundred years, the plastic bag has been around. It’s over. It’s time to deal with it.
