EAST PROVIDENCE — The City Council at its May 7 meeting gave second and final approval to an amended ordinance, which phases out the availability of single-use plastic bags by retailers to customers most commonly affiliated with supermarkets, convenience stores and drug stores.

East Providence becomes the 12the out of Rhode Island’s 39 municipalities to take up the ban.

The revised ordinance, sponsored by Ward 2 Councilor Anna Sousa, appears in Chapter 7 of the City Charter, under the banner “Health and Sanitation,” which would require businesses to eliminate light plastic bags within six months of the final approval date.

The key revised phrase in the ordinance would read: “Other than reusable carryout bags as provided in this section, no retail sales establishment shall make available any plastic carryout bags (either complementary or for a fee).”

“This is widespread and growing like a wildfire throughout the State of Rhode Island, primarily starting with the coastal communities Portsmouth, Newport, Middletown, Jamestown. Providence just did it recently a couple of weeks ago,” Ms. Sousa said. “This is something we started last year, but it didn’t make it through the council.”

Ms. Sousa added, “I think overall it’s in the best interest moving forward trying to preserve our environment. It starts with plastic bags, but it’s so much more beyond plastic bags. And hopefully we can continue moving forward with other recycling incentives to better our communities and our waterfront.”

Though one resident who spoke took exception with the use of the term “wildfire,” it was the lone dissenting voice during the conversation last Tuesday. Otherwise, the legislation earned the full support of the body.

“Even if it’s a slight improvement, it’s an improvement,” said At-Large Councilor Bob Rodericks.

Council President and Ward 1 representative Bobby Britto sought clarification for the public, noting not all plastic bags will be disallowed.

“It has a certain criteria it has to meet,” Ms. Sousa said in response. “So it’s not affecting plastic bags that have to do with laundry when you get your dry cleaning. It doesn’t have to do with plastic bags you get your fruit from. It’s a very specific type of plastic bag and there will be a six-month education and roll out program where the businesses will be able to call, ask questions, have communication.”

As a means of helping lure consumers to make the switch, Ms. Sousa suggested the city could possibly offer for sale a reusable “Townie” bag as fundraiser for community endeavors such as the East Providence High School Band or youth sports.

“Whatever we choose to do, but I thought it would be another great way of getting the community used to and providing them with the bags at a reasonable cost," Ms. Sousa added.