An evaporative emissions system is used in an automotive evaporative emission system including a fuel tank coupled to an automotive engine to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere. The system includes an evaporative emissions canister comprising a first molded housing having a circumferential side member, a top member and a bottom member; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and an auxiliary housing containing a carbon-coated reticulated material, the reticulated housing located in the fresh air line of the evaporative emissions canister for preventing fuel vapor molecules from passing through the carbon-coated reticulated material while allowing the air molecules to pass therethrough. A method is provided for preventing or reducing hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere.