Letter to the Editor: Newport's Plastic Problem

Dear Editor, 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 100 billion plastic grocery bags are used in the US each year, wasting millions of barrels of oil and clogging our landfills. And because these bags are so ubiquitous and so light, far too many of them wind up as litter in our waterways, parks, yards, and roadsides. In the marine environment, they can choke wildlife like sea turtles and whales, and as the plastic breaks down into tiny toxic bits, it gets ingested by fish and clams. 

Nothing we use for just five minutes should litter our treasured places and threaten our essential wildlife. Luckily, there is a simple solution: we can eliminate the problem by banning disposable plastic bags so that people switch to reusable ones. This movement is gaining exciting momentum around the country. To conserve resources, reduce litter, and save wildlife, it’s time for the Ocean State to join the effort. Towns like Newport can lead the way by enacting bag ban ordinances.

Sincerely, Michael Roy

Environment Rhode Island

860-514-7233 michael_roy@my.uri.edu 

Environment Rhode Island is a statewide, citizen-funded environmental advocacy group.