Barrington RI Plastic Bag Ban

On October 1st 2012 Barrington became the first city in the Ocean State of Rhode Island to adopt a ban on plastic checkout bags at local stores and restaurants. In addition to the plastic bag ban, retailers have the option of charging five cents for paper bags as an incentive for customers to remember their reusable bags. Surfrider Rhode Island Chapter members were involved at all stages of the process, submitting support letters to decision makers and speaking in support at public meetings. Big kudos to all of the chapter activists involved and thanks to our friends at 5 Gyres for their support.