(3.20) The Rhode Island House of Representatives Environment and Natural Resources Committee is hearing a bill that would ban plastic bags statewide. Tim Faulkner writes at ecoRI:
For the second straight year, Rep. Maria Cimini, D-Providence, has sponsored the Plastic Waste Reduction Act, a bill that would ban retailers from offering most checkout plastic bags.
The ban would apply to plastic bags offered at point of sale, including take-out food. The ban doesn’t apply to produce and frozen-food bags, dry-cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves or bags bigger than 28 by 36 inches. This year’s bill omits a fee on paper checkout bags.
Channing Jones, campaign director with Environment Rhode Island, led a signature drive submitting a petition to lawmakers with another 10,000 signatures from Rhode Island supporters of such a ban. The plastic bag lobby will be there (talking about how germy tote bags get?). If you want to participate or just show support, contact Mr. Jones at cjones@environmentrhodeisland.org. Or go here to sign an online petition — Protect the Bay, Ban the Bag. Speakers should arrive at 4pm to coordinate.
Meeting 4:30pm to 6:30pm-ish, Thursday, March 20, Room 101, State House, 82 Smith Street