H8415 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Prohibits the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments.)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Bennett, Hopkins, Edwards, McEntee, Speakman, Handy, Carson, Kislak, Santucci, Boylan
Last action: 2026-05-19
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Prohibits the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Prohibits the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments.)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-05-19 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-05-15 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/19/2026)
2026-04-08 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Prohibits the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H8415

2026 -- H 8415
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LC006277
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 23-19.18 of the General Laws entitled "Plastic Waste Reduction Act"
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is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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23-19.18-7. Prohibition on black plastic takeout containers.

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(a) As used herein, the term "black plastic takeout containers" means and refers to
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containers made from recycled polypropylene or mineral-filled polypropylene, and which are used
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for and to take out prepared foods or beverages from a restaurant, store, or other retail sales
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establishment.
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(b) On and after October 1, 2026,

restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments
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are prohibited from making any black plastic takeout containers available to customers for use to
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take out food or beverages from the establishment or restaurant. Restaurants, stores, and other retail
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sales establishments that make deliveries of goods from its premises to customers are prohibited
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from delivering food to customers in black plastic takeout containers
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on October 1, 2026.
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LC006277
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT
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1
This act would prohibit the use of black plastic takeout containers for use to take prepared
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foods and drinks from restaurants, stores, and other retail sales establishments.
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This act would take effect on October 1, 2026.
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LC006277
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