(A) The Town Council has the authority under Article 13 of the Rhode Island Constitution and the Middletown Town Charter to regulate issues of solid waste, litter and pollution as a local concern.
(B) The production, use and disposal of plastic checkout bags, which are commonly not recycled, has been shown to have significant detrimental impacts on the environment, including but not limited to contributing to pollution of the terrestrial and coastal environment, clogging storm water drainage systems, and contributing to the injury and death of terrestrial and marine life through ingestion and entanglement.
(C) The manufacture, transport and recycling of plastic checkout bags requires substantial energy consumption and contributes to greenhouse gases.
(D) Plastic checkout bags create a burden to solid waste collection and recycling facilities.
(E) Prohibiting the use of plastic checkout bags is necessary to protect the environment and the public health, safety, and welfare of all residents and visitors.
(Ord. 2017-7, passed 5-1-17; Am. Ord. 2017-15, passed 11-20-17)