Providence food establishments may not automatically provide single-use plastic straws; they must be offered only on customer request, in line with broader state and regional source-reduction policy.
Providence applies a request-only rule to single-use plastic straws: food service businesses may not place straws in drinks unprompted, set them out at self-serve stations without request signage, or include them by default in takeout orders. Customers must affirmatively ask for a straw. The rule preserves access for people with disabilities who need straws. Acceptable alternatives include paper, compostable plant-based, or reusable straws. The rule pairs with the foam ban under Providence's broader sustainability ordinance and reflects RI Department of Environmental Management guidance on source reduction.
Repeated automatic distribution of plastic straws can result in code citations under Providence's sustainability ordinance enforcement.
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See how Providence's plastic straw rules rules stack up against other locations.
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