La Mesa Shoppers Face New California Carryout-Bag Rules in 2026: What Stores Can Provide

LA MESA, San Diego County — Residents buying groceries or picking up items at certain larger retailers are seeing changes to checkout bags under a California law that took effect on January 1, 2026.

La Mesa’s municipal recycling page explains that Senate Bill 1053 bars covered stores—including supermarkets, large retailers with pharmacies and some convenience stores—from providing plastic carryout bags. The law instead limits available checkout bags to qualifying post-consumer recycled paper bags at a minimum charge of 10 cents each.

Which shops are affected?

The city emphasizes that the statute applies to stores covered by the state definition. Residents should not assume identical rules at every small retailer or confuse carryout-bag requirements with product packaging, bags used for produce or trash liners; the legal rules distinguish those uses.

Shoppers can reduce costs and waste by bringing reusable bags. Local merchants should consult the current law and state CalRecycle guidance on what counts as a qualifying retailer and bag, especially before ordering checkout supplies. The posted city guidance is a public overview, not individualized legal advice.

La Mesa also uses its recycling page to explain changes to container redemption and to encourage organics sorting, creating a broader resource for households managing daily waste.

Source: City of La Mesa — Residential Recycling, 2026 bag-law update. State background: CalRecycle.

Illustrative neighborhood shopping photograph, not a named La Mesa store. Photo: Denisse Leon / Unsplash.

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