No Litterbugs: New Law Requires Recycling Education In RI Schools

BRISTOL, RI — Rhode Island students will now be required to learn about the importance of recycling and litter prevention, thanks to legislation signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee this month.

Under the new law, schools must have a yearly presentation discussing recycling programs and the importance of not littering. The state's Department of Education and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation will work in collaboration to educate elementary and middle school students.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Walter Felag, Jr, who represents the coastal communities of Bristol, Warren and Tiverton. He said that it is "imperative that our students understand the importance of protecting our environment for themselves and future residents," since the lifespan of the state's landfill falls every year.

"This bill will give our children the information that they need to be the next generation of environmental stewards and I am grateful that the General Assembly agreed with the importance of the legislation by making it a law," Felag said. "Every child and adult has the responsibility to avoid littering our beautiful state and proper recycling protocols saves cities and towns expensive landfill costs."