Zero Waste Providence is a group of citizens dedicated to reducing waste in Providence. The group has led the effort toward eliminating single-use plastic bags in Providence. These bags contribute to plastic pollution and contaminate the recycling stream, which costs the city.
Part of making a bag ban work is getting reusable bags into the hands of Providence residents, particularly those with low incomes. Zero Waste Providence is looking to access surplus reusable promotional bags that conventions bring to events in the city, and often do not want to transport back home, and then distribute them via a network of local community organizations.