Channing Jones, campaign director with Environment Rhode Island, led the signature drive through door-to-door canvassing and an online petition. This year, Jones submitted a petition to lawmakers with another 10,000 signatures from Rhode Island supporters of such a ban.

Environment Rhode Island was instrumental in helping pass a two-year bag ban in Barrington, which began in 2013. About 100 communities in the United States have some form of restrictions on plastic checkout bags.

…

Opponents to the 2013 legislation included a restaurant owner, the Rhode Island Retail Federation, American Progressive Bag Alliance and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, which manages the Central Landfill in Johnston.

Many small retailers have already switched to paper bags, because the swap saves money, attracts free advertising or owners feel it is “the right thing to do,” Jones said. “Plastic bags are on their way out,” he said, adding that “in our experience going out and talking to individual business owners, there’s a lot of support out there.”

…

The bill has met opposition from organizations like the American Progressive Bag Alliance, which argues that alternatives such as increased recycling of plastic bags could offer a better solution to the environmental concerns. “American-made plastic products are the best environmental choice at check-out — for both retailers and consumers,” according to the organization’s website.