RI Senate Approves 2 Plastic Reduction Bills

PROVIDENCE, RI — Two bills aimed at cutting down on plastic usage in Rhode Island were approved by the state Senate Tuesday. The first would cut down on plastic straw usage in restaurants, while the second would create a statewide single-use plastic bag ban.

The sponsors of both bills cited concerns about single-use plastics ending up in the state's waterways, creating pollution and posing a hazard to wildlife.

The straw bill was introduced by Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey. Under the legislation, restaurants would be banned from automatically providing a plastic straw with a drink. Straws would still be allowed if requested by the patron, and could be offered in self-serve dispensers.

"Single-use plastic straws negatively impact our environment," McCaffrey said. "These straws litter our shoreline and we’ve seen particularly disastrous consequences for marine life. Curtailing the use of plastic straws in restaurants will improve our environment and encourage consumers to think twice about their own carbon footprint."

Restaurants who violated the law would receive a warning for the first and second violations. After that, the businesses would be fined $25 for each additional offense, up to a maximum of $300 annually.

The senate also approved of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio's statewide single-use plastic bag ban. The legislation calls for businesses to provide recyclable alternatives, such as paper or reusable alternatives.

"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 said. "Several Rhode Island jurisdictions 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."