About the Initiative
The City of Newport recognizes that single-use plastic bags greatly impact our community by creating litter on our roadways, polluting the harbor and endangering wildlife. Used for an average of only 12 minutes, plastics remain in the environment forever. Since 2013, Clean Ocean Access has removed 11,766 single-use plastic bags from our shoreline. In Rhode Island, the potential for plastics to contaminate and degrade the fishing industry could affect a $40 million industry. It is time that we make a change.
The Newport Re·Uses campaign combines an ordinance with an educational program to remove single-use plastic bags from our businesses, streets, beaches and homes. Other communities have enacted similar ordinances and educational outreach programs and have seen great success. Barrington, Rhode Island passed their ordinance in September 2012 which resulted in an overwhelming number of shoppers who now bring their own reusable bags. This not only decreases the litter on roadways and waterways but also helps to preserve the beauty of the city. Newport is dependent on a clean harbor and beaches. This campaign will provide further leadership in environmental health and sustainability in hopes that our residents and businesses will voluntarily adjust to the ordinance. Help us in protecting the things we love.
View the Ordinance Here