CHARLESTOWN, R.I. (AP) — An effort is underway in Charlestown to make it the first community in Rhode Island to ban the use of single-use plastic shopping bags.
The Town Council will consider a municipal resolution next month to ban the bags. The town lawyer and town administrator to prepare a resolution for the May meeting that would include a voluntary ban on retail plastic bags.
Council Vice President George Tremblay introduced the topic last week.
He tells The Sun of Westerly that Charlestown is a resort community and pollution and trash deters tourism.
He also hopes Charlestown can set a precedent. Legislative efforts and attempts by other towns to ban the bags have failed.
He says 17 communities in Massachusetts have banned single-use plastic bags.
