HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT, the official text

H8415 2026 -- H 8415 ======== LC006277 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Hopkins, Edwards, McEntee, Speakman, Handy, Carson, Kislak, Santucci, and Boylan Date Introduced: April 08, 2026 Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 23-19.18 of the General Laws entitled Plastic Waste Reduction Act 2 is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 23-19.18-7. Prohibition on black plastic takeout containers. 4 (a) As used herein, the term black plastic takeout containers means and refers to 5 containers made from recycled polypropylene or mineral-filled polypropylene, and which are used 6 for and to take out prepared foods or beverages from a restaurant, store, or other retail sales 7 establishment. 8 (b) On and after October 1, 2026, restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments 9 are prohibited from making any black plastic takeout containers available to customers for use to 10 take out food or beverages from the establishment or restaurant. Restaurants, stores, and other retail 11 sales establishments that make deliveries of goods from its premises to customers are prohibited 12 from delivering food to customers in black plastic takeout containers 13 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on October 1, 2026. ======== LC006277 ======== EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT *** 1 This act would prohibit the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared 2 foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments. 3 This act would take effect on October 1, 2026. ======== LC006277 ======== LC006277 - Page 2 of 2