Bill to ban plastic bags on verge to becoming law
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill Friday that would ban the use of plastic bags by retail establishments.
The Plastic Waste Reduction Act is aimed to reduce the use of plastic bags by offering recyclable bag options and penalizing places that violate.
The bill would prohibit any retail spot from giving any single-use plastic checkout bag or any paper checkout bag that is not recyclable.
“Now is the time to end this environmental and public health destruction and finally pass a statewide ban on plastic bags,” said bill sponsor Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee.
The legislation will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024 or within one year from the establishment of regulations by the Department of Environmental Management, whichever comes first.
The Senate has passed an identical version and both chambers will now vote on each other’s bill before sending it to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk.
