On September 30th, California Governor Jerry Brown signed SB270 into law. This is the first plastic bag ban to take place in the United States. In addition to this law, which takes place in 2015, a bag tax will be applied to paper bags. Consumers must pay at least 10 cents for a paper bag. Cities, like Los Angeles, have already instituted similar ordinances.
If you are wondering about the environmental impact of plastic bags? Mother Jones expounds upon the issue of Plastic bags and its global influences. The article was recently updated to include some points surrounding the use of plastic bag alternatives.
California is not the only place where plastic ban restrictions exist, the same article also features an interactive map where you can explore the different type of plastic bags regulations from around the world.
You can find the website at http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/09/california-bans-plastic-bags