DEM seeking public's opinion ahead of state-wide plastic bag ban

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Starting January 1, 2024, the Plastic Waste Reduction Act will be put into effect, banning all retailers in Rhode Island ...

September 20, 2023
7:28 AM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Starting January 1, 2024, the Plastic Waste Reduction Act will be put into effect, banning all retailers in Rhode Island from using single-use plastic bags. Now, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management wants to hear from the public. Michael Healey with the RIDEM said they're working on drafting regulations to the law and would like to hear from residents as they work to decrease microplastic pollution in the Ocean State. 'Part of the regulations are to make it easier for businesses to comply because we don't want to be penalizing businesses, we want to get businesses on board, you know buy into the fact that look, all of your competitors are going to have to do this to, so this is the cost of doing business across the board,' Healey explained.