Rhode Island mandates residential recycling under RIGL §23-18.8. Providence County cities use single-stream curbside for paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans, and plastics #1/#2. Contaminated bins rejected. Businesses and multifamily subject to commercial recycling rules.
RIGL §23-18.8 (Rhode Island Solid Waste Management) mandates residential and commercial recycling statewide, administered by RI Resource Recovery Corporation. Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Warwick, Woonsocket, and all Providence County municipalities provide single-stream curbside recycling accepting paper, cardboard, glass bottles/jars, aluminum and steel cans, and plastics #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE). Plastic bags, styrofoam, food waste, and tanglers (hoses, wires) are not accepted and contaminate loads — bins tagged and skipped at RIRRC's Materials Recycling Facility in Johnston. Businesses with 50+ employees and multifamily buildings with 5+ units must have commercial recycling per RIGL §23-18.9. Providence Code Ch. 20 incorporates these requirements.
Contaminated bins: tagged and skipped, repeat contamination $25 to $100. Failure to recycle (commercial): RIGL §23-18.8 fine $100 to $1,000 per occurrence. Providence noncompliance referred to DPW enforcement.
Providence County, RI
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See how Providence County's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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