Statewide plastic bag ban in RI gets approved by legislature

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban single-use plastic bags in Rhode Island Tuesday.

The bill sponsored by Sen. President Dominick Ruggerio and Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee would see retail establishments no longer offering plastic bags by Jan. 1 2024.

“Now is the time to end this environmental and public health destruction and finally pass a statewide ban on plastic bags,” said Representative McEntee.

Nearly half of Rhode Island’s cities and towns have implemented plastic bag bans.

“I think it’s appropriate to be consistent throughout the state,” added President Ruggerio

Under the bill, the ban will take effect once the Department of Environmental Management establishes regulations or by Jan. 1 2024, whichever occurs first.

The bill now heads to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk.