In April of 2019, the Cranston City Council approved an ordinance banning businesses from giving patrons single-use plastic bags. Then Mayor Allan Fung vetoed the ordinance but the Council overrode the veto. 

So the ban is the local law, however, Council Vice President Robert Ferri says over the course of two weeks he visited four stores using plastic bags. 

Ferri explained to the Council during its Dec. 20 meeting that a couple of the stores he visited he was able to talk to the manager and explained to them that he was the Vice President of the Council and informed them of the law.

Ferri said both managers claimed not to know of the law. 

Frustrated by seeing some businesses violating the ordinance on multiple occasions Ferri explained to Anthony Moretti, Mayor Ken Hopkins’ Chief of Staff what he witnessed and asked that they discuss how to solve the problem during a Council meeting. 

“It’s obvious that they don’t know in some cases, or they’re ignoring it in some cases but I think we need to come up with a solution as a Council, as an Administration on how we’re going to enforce it because why did we pass it if we’re not going to enforce it,” said Ferri on Monday night. 

Ferri isn’t the only Councilor who thinks that the City needs to enforce the ordinance. 

“I completely 100 percent agree,” said Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli. 

She pointed out the ordinance stipulates that violating the ordinance could lead to fines for that particular business.

For a first time offenders are given a warning and 28 days to correct the violation. 

Businesses found in violation a second time faces a $250 fine due within 14 days. After that violations would carry the same fine for each day. 

“Once we start issuing fines people will stop using the plastic (bags),” said Renzulli.  

Councilwoman Lammis Vargas said that she thinks the city should have signage at the Clerk’s Office, which explains that there is a plastic bag ban in the City. 

She also said that the Administration could have the information on the City website. 

“I think that may be some useful information to start off with,” said Vargas.

Vargas said that members of the Council could also communicate with their constituents to let them know about the ordinance.

“This has to be a collaboration not only with ourselves but with the Administration,” said Vargas.  

Ferri said that his first suggestion was to start sending notices to businesses when they renew their business licenses. 

Moetti said that those suggestions are ones that the City could implement.