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SB 2639

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Britto and 5 co-sponsors

Single-use plastic straws may be provided only if a customer requests or directly takes one, shifting from automatic provision to on-demand access.

05/06/2026 Referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
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Bill Summary · SB 2639

Summary of Bill: SB 2639 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill revises the prohibition related to single-use plastic straws in food service establishments.
  • It shifts from a prohibition on providing single-use plastic straws to a system in which customers may directly take single-use plastic straws only if they request them or actively take them themselves.

Key Provisions

  1. Amended Prohibition (Section 21-27.2-2):

    • Change to a “prohibited practices exception” structure.
    • A food service establishment shall not provide a single-use plastic straw to a consumer unless the consumer requests or directly takes the straw.
    • In effect, single-use plastic straws become available only upon explicit consumer action (request or self-service take).

  2. Effective Date:

    • The act takes effect upon passage (no future date is specified beyond enactment).

Affected Entities

  • Food Service Establishments: Restaurants, cafes, delis, bars, and any operation that provides single-use plastic straws to customers.
  • Consumers/ Patrons: Individuals dining or obtaining beverages at food service establishments who may request or take a straw.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: Introduced February 27, 2026, referred to Senate Commerce.
  • Committee Action: Committee recommended the measure for hold for further study (as of March 24, 2026).
  • Scheduling: Pending consideration as of April 24, 2026; scheduled for consideration on that date.
  • Enactment: Takes effect immediately upon passage.

Practical Implications and Impacts

  • Operational Change: Establishments must adjust whether and how straws are offered, transitioning from an automatic provision to a system requiring consumer initiation (request or direct take).
  • Customer Experience: Patrons must actively request a straw or take one themselves; may reduce straw distribution without explicit action.
  • Environmental and Public Health Effects: Potentially reduces unnecessary consumption of single-use plastics by requiring deliberate action to obtain a straw, contributing to waste reduction goals.
  • Compliance Considerations: Businesses should train staff to handle straw requests properly and ensure signage or policy communicates the change to customers.

Notable Details

  • The bill’s language clarifies that the only change is the condition under which straws are provided; it does not specify additional restrictions or penalties beyond the stated provision.
  • The act’s scope is limited to single-use plastic straws and does not address other plastic disposable items.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to current Rhode Island law or prepare a checklist for establishments to implement this change smoothly.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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