Rhode Island enacted a statewide plastic carryout bag ban effective January 1, 2024 under RIGL Chapter 23-92, the Plastic Waste Reduction Act, prohibiting most single-use plastic checkout bags at retail stores.
RIGL Chapter 23-92, the Plastic Waste Reduction Act, took effect January 1, 2024 and prohibits retailers from providing single-use plastic carryout bags at the point of sale. Retailers may offer recyclable paper bags, reusable bags meeting durability standards, or compostable bags meeting ASTM specifications. The law preempts conflicting local ordinances but preserves stricter local rules adopted before the effective date in many cases. Exemptions include bags for produce, meat, bulk goods, prescriptions, and dry cleaning. Retailers may charge customers for permitted alternative bags. Department of Environmental Management oversees enforcement with civil penalties for violations.
Retailers providing prohibited single-use plastic carryout bags face civil penalties under Chapter 23-92 enforcement provisions, with escalating fines for repeat violations administered by DEM.
East Providence, RI
East Providence Code Sec. 10-51 sets quiet hours beginning at 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Loud noise after these times is...
East Providence, RI
East Providence addresses persistent barking under Chapter 3 (Animals) and Chapter 10 (Nuisances). Habitual barking constitutes a nuisance. Animal control ha...
East Providence, RI
East Providence regulates construction noise through Chapter 10 nuisance provisions. Construction must comply with quiet hours (10 PM Sun-Thu, 11 PM Fri-Sat)...
East Providence, RI
East Providence regulates driveways through zoning and building permits. Vehicles must not block sidewalks. Off-street parking standards in Ch. 19 (Zoning).
East Providence, RI
East Providence's zoning ordinance (Ch. 19) regulates RV storage on residential lots. RVs may not be used for residential occupancy. Extended on-street stora...
East Providence, RI
East Providence restricts commercial vehicles in residential areas through zoning and traffic ordinances. The zoning code limits vehicle types permitted on r...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Providence County.
See how East Providence's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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