City of Providence to Say ‘NO’ to Plastic Bags
Plastic ‘bag ban’ to take effect citywide Tuesday, October 22nd 2019
PROVIDENCE, RI – The “Reduction of Single-Use Checkout Bags by Retail Establishments” ordinance, known commonly as the plastic ‘bag ban,’ will take effect throughout the City of Providence on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. The ordinance prohibits retailers form offering single-use plastic bags at the checkout counter. Allowed alternatives include reusable bags and recyclable paper bags that contain at least 40% post-consumer recycled paper. The ordinance does not permit bio-based plastic bags as an alternatives to single-use plastic bags.
Bags used to hold and/or transport produce will be exempt, as are laundry bags and dry-clean bags, newspaper bags and bags used to contain or wrap frozen foods, meat or fish. Retailers in violation of the ordinance will be issued a warning. Additional violations within one year of first notice will be assessed a $50 fine for the second offense; and a $100 fine for the third and each subsequent offense. All revenue collected as a result of these violations will be committed to future community outreach around recycling and waste education.
Retailers may be granted an exemption if they can demonstrate unique circumstances such that the retailer requires additional time in order to draw down an existing inventory of single-use plastic check out bags; there are no reasonable alternatives to bags that are not Recyclable Paper Bags or Reusable Bags; or that would deprive a person of a legally-protected right. The Director of the Office of Sustainability may approve the exemption request, in whole or in part, with or without conditions on a case-by-case basis.
Community members and businessowners will have the opportunity to learn more about the ordinance while printing educational materials that will be distributed to local retailers during two, free poster-printing sessions hosted by DWRI Letterpress at 40 Rice St. #1 on Thursday, October 17 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm and Saturday, October 19 from 11:00am to 1:00pm.
For more information or to apply for an exemption, visit SustainPVD.com or contact the Office of Sustainability at SustainPVD@providenceri.gov.