Latest News & Stories

By: Jusolyn Flower, WPRI 12 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island lawmakers heard two hours of testimony about a proposed “bottle bill” Wednesday night that, if passed, would impose a 10-cent deposit on all recyclable beverage containers. The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture listened to dozens of supporters and opponents who expressed their opinions about the … Read More

By: Alex Kuffner,Providence Journal PROVIDENCE – A few months after bottle bill proponents released a poll showing the majority of Rhode Islanders support the measure aimed at boosting recycling and reducing litter, opponents are now announcing their own survey, which resulted in a more mixed response. The survey of 600 Rhode Island voters, commissioned by a … Read More

BY RYAN GIBBS, The Jamestown Press A company founded by a local couple 50 years ago is celebrating its golden anniversary by raising money to protect one of Rhode Island’s most important assets, Narragansett Bay. Arthur and JoEllen Fiorenzano established a designated fund for Save The Bay to continue its mission, which has been to … Read More

By Frank Carini / ecoRI News columnist NEWPORT, R.I. — The City-by-the-Sea’s most popular beach is rapidly washing away. The warming Atlantic Ocean and the climate crisis have come calling. The snack bar and carousel buildings, built four decades ago, were too heavily damaged to be saved, and the Save The Bay aquarium has since retreated … Read More

Seals are a sign of healthy waters, but what impact are they having on fisheries? By: Jack Perry, Providence Journal   PROVIDENCE – July Lewis of Save The Bay sees seals as an indicator of environmental health, so she was encouraged when her organization recently counted 755 in Rhode Island waters. “It tells us the bay is … Read More

COMMENTARY It’s time for R.I. to reduce litter and reform the way the Ocean State recycles A bottle bill is not only good for the environment, it’s good for business, proponents of House bill 6207 write Steve Alexander, Scott Breen, Scott DeFife, Emily Howe and Jed Thorp April 18, 2025, 6:00 a.m. As representatives of the business … Read More

By Bill Seymour, The Independent Rhode Island could soon overhaul its recycling system under sweeping legislation introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-South Kingstown, Narragansett). Nonetheless, a coalition of small retailers, grocery stores, liquor stores, labor unions and beverage distributors have joined forces to form “Stop The Rhode Island Bottle Tax” to oppose bottle deposit … Read More

A bottle bill is not only good for the environment, it’s good for business, proponents of House bill 6207 write By Steve Alexander, Scott Breen, Scott DeFife, Emily Howe and Jed Thorp, The Boston Globe As representatives of the business and environmental sectors, we have come together to urge the Legislature to take bold action … Read More

By: Antonia Noori Farzan, Providence Journal WESTERLY – The former Water Wizz park in Misquamicut will be permanently conserved as open space, allowing the public to access Winnapaug Pond. “This property represents a major win for coastal habitat preservation, climate resiliency, and public shoreline access,” Terry Gray, director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, said in … Read More

By: Sarah Bawden, WPRI 12 WESTERLY, R.I. (WPRI) — The 7.31 acres of coastal land where Water Wizz of Westerly once stood are now permanently protected from future development. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) bought a conservation easement from the seaside town to safeguard the former waterpark, which is now an undeveloped salt … Read More