990WBOB
  • WBOB Radio
  • Crush Cancer
  • Past Casts
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • About
    • WBOB Press Releases
    • Join Our Team!
    • CHARITY GALA

Rep. Amore Calls for Phaseout of Plastic Bags

1/26/2015

Comments

 
Picture
Legislation introduced by Rep. Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) sets a two-year plan to end the use of disposable plastic checkout bags by retail establishment
Sent to the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources for consideration, the legislation, 2015-H 5151, requires large retail store (with annual gross retail sales of $5 million or more) to terminate the use of plastic bags by January 1, 2016. All retail stores would be required to end the use of the plastic bags by January 1, 2017.
“Rhode Island faces a real threat from plastic pollution,” said Representative Amore, citing single-use plastic checkout bags as a primary source of pollution to Narragansett Bay, hundred of miles of coastline and other bodies of water, and littering neighborhoods, parks and roadsides. “These disposable bags pose a direct threat to wildlife and to aquatic and coastal environments and the most effective way to preserve our environment and clean up this growing mess is to eliminate this major source of pollution.”

If enacted, Rhode Island would join other states and individual cities that have enacted or are considering bans on plastic bags or aggressive recycling programs. In 2014, California became the first state to enact a law prohibiting large stores from providing single-use plastic carryout bags, although a repeal referendum effort is underway to block it. New York retailers are required to establish in-store recycling programs, and North Carolina has acted to reduce plastic and non-recycled paper bag use on the Outer Banks.

If enacted, stores in all communities in Rhode Island would be like those in Barrington, where a town ordinance banning plastic bags went into effect in 2013. Many other cities across the country, particularly coastal communities, have similar bans. Every county in Hawaii, for instance, has individually banned plastic bags.

“As the Ocean State, we thrive on the beauty and bounty of our waters and coastlines, for the seafood and maritime industries as well as tourism,” said Representative Amore. “We cannot ignore the fact that plastic bags are a major source of pollution and, unless addressed, will continue to harm our most important natural resources.”

  Certain types of bags would be exempt from the ban, under the Amore legislation, such as sleeves used by dry cleaners, or those used by florist to protect fresh flowers, as well as “barrier” bags used to package produce and meats.

Enforcement of the ban would be the responsibility of city or town police departments, who would investigate potential violations and issue written notice to the retailer, which would be required to confirm, within 14 days, that the violation has ceased. A second violation would be punishable with a fine of $150; a third violation would carry a penalty of $300.

  Eliminating the one-time use plastic bags will not only benefit the environment, keep the state’s coast and waters cleaner and reduce potential harm to fish and other wildlife, said Representative Amore, it will also relieve pressure on the landfill and waste management. “It is believed that literally millions of these bags are used every year in our state and many of them end up where they shouldn’t be. It’s time to stop causing harm and time to stop using these bags.”

The Amore bill, the “Plastic Waste Reduction Act,” is co-sponsored by Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), Rep. Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence) and Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown).


More WBOB News & Politics

  • Schaper: How Inhofe Schooled Whitehouse on Climate Change
    Providence Heroin Trafficker Pleads Guilty, Facing up to 40 Years in Federal Prison
    Schaper: Obama's Road to  Wellville is Paved with Broken Promises
  • Raimondo Says "Be Prepared" for Winter Storm
Comments

    WBOB
    Original
    ​Reads

    Picture

    Unbiased, Unfiltered. WBOB's Original Reads feature our brightest and boldest personalities, offering their two-cents on the goings on of news, sports, politics, entertainment, and business. -- Are our opinions always PC? Nope. Are they always perfect? Nah. But, are they always 100% authentic? Absolutely!


    LISTEN
    ​TO WBOB ORIGINAL PODCASTS

    Picture
    Listen to
    ​Past BOBCasts

    WBOB 
    Best Reads
    Brought To You By
    TripAdvisor.com

    Picture

    Celebrating David Clyde: A Wild Passionate Friend To All


    Picture

    Search 
    The Archives


    Reads From Our Friends

    Picture

    The Best Game Development Tools: How to Make Your Own Game


    Contact Us
    [email protected]


    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

Search For Your Favorite WBOB Author,
​or BobCast

990WBOB 
An Independent Media Outlet.

The views opinions and thoughts expressed do not  reflect those of 990WBOB, its management or its staff. All Rights Reserved 990WBOB.com 2007-2020
​
Contact WBOB HERE
Photo from nzhamstar
  • WBOB Radio
  • Crush Cancer
  • Past Casts
  • Weather
  • Contact
  • About
    • WBOB Press Releases
    • Join Our Team!
    • CHARITY GALA