Rep. Bennett Introduces Bill to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers

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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

GoLocalProv Political Team

Representative David Bennett has introduced a bill that would ban Rhode Island restaurants from using disposable polystyrene foam containers and plastic stirrers.

“If we don’t drastically reduce waste in Rhode Island, the central landfill will reach its capacity in just 15 years. We simply have to stop making so much trash. Single-use foam containers and plastic stirrers are low-hanging fruit in terms of wasteful things that we can easily live without. It’s 2019, and we have lots of alternatives to disposable foam, from paper and compostable containers to recyclable and reusable ones. Wooden stirrers work just as well as plastic, or — even better — you can put your cream and sugar in first and it’ll blend as you pour in the coffee, no stirrer needed. Let’s say no to this trash and yes to less waste in our environment,” said Bennett.

The Legislation

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The bill, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2021, would prohibit such establishments from providing food in single-use containers and cups made in whole or in part of blown, expanded or extruded polystyrene foam, or from providing beverage stirrers made from plastic.

The bill is intended to apply to items like takeout containers and cups as well as egg cartons and trays that hold items like meat.

Bennett’s legislation would apply to restaurants and any other establishment where prepared food is served, including farmers’ markets, food pantries and nursing homes, although the bill does include exceptions for hospitals and “Meals on Wheels”-type programs.