Rhode Island has no statewide plastic straw ban, but several municipalities including Providence have adopted upon-request rules requiring food service establishments to provide plastic straws only when customers ask.
Rhode Island state law does not prohibit plastic straws, leaving regulation to municipalities. Providence and several other cities and towns have adopted upon-request ordinances requiring food service establishments to provide single-use plastic straws only when affirmatively requested by customers, with accommodations for individuals with disabilities. The state's broader Plastic Waste Reduction Act under RIGL Chapter 23-92 focuses on bags rather than straws, though future amendments may expand coverage. Compostable and paper alternatives are encouraged statewide, and disability rights protections require continued availability for those who need them.
In municipalities with upon-request straw ordinances, food service establishments providing unsolicited plastic straws face local civil penalties; no statewide enforcement currently exists.
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 straw rules rules stack up against other locations.
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