Two Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced legislation banning the sale of products containing intentionally added microplastics in the state starting in 2028.
The legislation would also require the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Health to conduct testing to monitor microplastic levels in water and soil.
“The most effective way to prevent harmful microplastics from accumulating in our rivers and bays is to stop their manufacture at the source,” said Senator Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket), in a statement.
“Last year’s Plastic Waste Reduction Act, which banned single-use plastic bags in retail establishments was a vital first step, which this bill continues by eliminating from Rhode Island the microparticles from our products before they enter our environment.”
The two lawmakers say microplastics are a pressing concern for Rhode Island’s marine ecosystems.
“Microplastics have been piling up in our waterways for years without us knowing the true extent of the problem, let alone how best to address it. We need to monitor microplastic levels and develop a plan to remove them from our waters and greenspaces,” said state Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence).
The legislation is scheduled to be heard by the Environment and Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
Microplastics do not start off as microplastics. They become microplastics through UV degradation, erosion and mechanical wear down. So, though I applaud the effort to ban products containing “microplastics” from coming into our state and entering our waterways, the real effort should be in preventing macroplastics from entering the waterways in the first place. Large plastics erode to microplastics. They come into waterways through storm drain run off, unscrupulous litterers, illegal dumping. Lets focus on these things!