R.I. leaders pause on bottle bill, calling for more study
But the Greater Providence of Chamber of Commerce and other business groups waged a high-profile
Bottle bills have been introduced off and on in Rhode Island since the early 1980s, but they have run into stiff opposition from the national beverage companies and local retailers.
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The most recent push began in 2023 with Representative Carol Hagan McEntee, a South Kingstown Democrat, and Senator Mark P. McKenney, a Warwick Democrat, co-chairing a special legislative commission on the issue.
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On Monday, Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, and Lawson, an East Providence Democrat, issued a joint statement thanking that commission for studying the issue for a year and a half.
But, they said, 'There is still a great deal of conflicting data as to the implementation of best practices to address the problems of improving and disposing of our recyclable products, as well as enhancing our anti-littering efforts.'
Shekarchi and Lawson said they believe it's in the best interests of Rhode Islanders to study the issue further.
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They said the amended legislation would enable the state Department of Environmental Management to 'work with an independent third-party consultant with relevant expertise to conduct an assessment with input from local key stakeholders.' A report would be due no later than December 2026.
McEntee told the Globe she was disappointed.
" I'm very surprised by it because we've already studied this to death," she said. 'If it is with the intent of taking step two next year and implementing the bottle bill, then I may be able to be sold on that, but I'm not sure what it is.'
McEntee said the special legislative commission listened to 'all of the stakeholders' and made adjustments to their proposed legislation.
For instance, she said that under the proposal it would not be mandatory for any business to take the bottles or cans back, and it would not cost the state anything because a producer responsibility organization would run the program.
" I really think it's important to have a bottle bill," McEntee said. 'Without one, we're not going to be able to attack the litter situation, the situation in Narragansett Bay with all of the microplastics, and the poor recycling rate.'
She said she will try to make further changes to the bill that Shekarchi and Lawson have amended. 'In its current state, I don't think it has a good chance of passing the House Environment Committee,' she said.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at
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