Rhode Island Senate Approves Plastic Bag Ban

Rhode Island is one step closer to being free of plastic bags. On Thursday, the Senate approved President Dominick Ruggerio's Plastic Waste Reduction Act, which would ban single-use plastic bags in the state. The bill is aimed at reducing the amount of waste generated in the state as well as cut down on the amount of microplastics that end up in the ocean.

"We all know how dangerous plastic pollution is to the health of our oceans and marine life, and how it contributes to climate change," Ruggerio, a Democrat from Providence, said. "Several Rhode Island jurisdictions, including 10 local communities, have already enacted similar policies to promote and encourage the use of recyclable bags, and I think it’s appropriate to be consistent throughout the state."

Microplastics are extremely tiny pieces of plastic that are formed when plastic ends up in waterways. Sunlight and waves break them down, creating microscopic pieces that are then eaten by fish, which hurts the state's fishing industries and marine life.

"It’s time to ban plastic bags in Rhode Island once and for all,' said Amy Moses, Vice President and Rhode Island Director of Conservation Law Foundation. "Plastics pollute at every stage of their lives — from extracting and refining fossil fuels to contaminating our recycling and choking wildlife. The Senate President’s bill is a great compromise and it will keep Rhode Island’s lands and waters free from this toxic litter."

Across the state, several cities and towns already have plastic bags bans. According to BagLaws.com, they are:

• Barrington
• Bristol
• Jamestown
• Middletown
• Narragansett
• New Shoreham (Block Island)
• Newport
• North Kingston
• Portsmouth
• South Kingstown
• Tiverton
• Warren

If the bill becomes law, stores would be banned from providing single-use plastic bags or non-recyclable paper bags. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.

READ MORE:

• Rhode Island Plastic Bag Ban Bill Advances
• Providence City Council Approves Citywide Plastic Bag Ban
• Senate Committee Discusses Plastic Bag, Straw Bans
• South Kingstown Cutting Back on Plastic Bag Use
  
• Barrington Town Council Expands Plastic Ban