GovernanceEnvironmentFree press
House Passes Carson Bill Requiring School Cafeteria Food Composting and Waste Audits
The Rhode Island House approved legislation by Rep. Lauren Carson mandating that all school food service contracts include composting or recycling provisions for organic waste. The bill also requires schools to publicly report waste audit results and establishes formal frameworks for cafeteria share tables. Carson cited the state landfill's 2045 capacity deadline and noted that Rhode Island schools waste 5 million pounds of food annually. The companion Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Bridget Valverde is scheduled for committee hearing Wednesday.
GovernanceEnvironmentFree press
North Kingstown Town Manager Opposes Quonset Pyrolysis Facility, Questions Approval Process
North Kingstown Town Manager Ralph Mollis wrote to Governor McKee expressing strong community opposition to the proposed QSS Biosolids pyrolysis facility at Quonset Business Park. Mollis criticized the lack of public engagement in the approval process, noting no notice to abutting residents and only one public meeting. The facility would convert sewage byproducts into fertilizer. McKee's office responded that more transparency and community outreach are needed, stating the governor will stand with the community's decision.