The bill begins by outlining the growing global concern over microplastic contamination, particularly in coastal and inland waterbodies. Rhode Island’s own Narragansett Bay is highlighted as a site of increasing pollution, with an estimated 1,000 tons of microplastics now embedded in its sediment, according to recent research from the University of Rhode Island.
The legislation also references data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which estimates that global plastic production could triple by 2060 if unregulated. With microplastics entering the human body through food, drinking water, and inhalation, state leaders cite the urgent need for both mitigation and better understanding of pollution sources.
The Act introduces several core provisions:
The bill defines "microplastics" as synthetic polymer microparticles that are either directly added or result from the breakdown of products. Covered products include any item sold for residential, commercial, or industrial use—excluding used products. The scope captures microplastics smaller than 5 mm in all dimensions or up to 15 mm in length when their length is three times their diameter.
While the bill is forward-looking, it builds a framework grounded in science and collaboration, requiring agencies to leverage existing research and national standards when available.
If enacted, S0406 would compel significant reform in product formulation, particularly for industries involved in cosmetics, household cleaning products, paints, and packaging—sectors historically known to use microplastics to enhance product functionality. The legislation may also pressure other states to adopt similar measures, especially as microplastic contamination becomes a more visible and politically charged issue.
