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P/E141C_ <br /> Murashige, Laura FER 2 1 21)17 <br /> From: russell@islandnaturals.com on behalf of Russell Ruderman <br /> <russell@russellruderman.com> <br /> Sent: Friday, February 17, 2017 11:10 AM <br /> To: Council Testimony; Ohara, Eileen COUNTY CLERK <br /> Subject: Testimony in support of Bill 13 COUNTY OF HAWAII <br /> Attachments: Support bill 13.doc Time I =10 �RECEIVED <br /> r'1 By <br /> Date ;:; ., • 1. <br /> In support of Bill 13 <br /> 2/17/2017 <br /> Aloha Councilmembers, <br /> I testify in support of Bill 13, limiting polystyrene use on our island. <br /> I am state senator for Puna and Ka'u, but today I testify as a private citizen and Big Island business owner. <br /> In my business, Island Naturals, we eliminated single-use Styrofoam products over 15 years ago. It was the <br /> right thing to do because we care about our environment and our customers' health. Since that time the prices of <br /> such products have reduced significantly, as has the range of options. We have had only good experiences with <br /> the alternatives that we use, including compostable products made from food starch, and other materials. <br /> Customer feedback is excellent, and the cost differential is minimal. There has never been an increase in our <br /> prices resulting from using environmentally safe products. <br /> I will leave the discussion of health concerns to others. I trust as educated, thinking people you do not need to <br /> be lectured on the environmental costs of polystyrene. But since I have extensive experience in the business side <br /> of things, I will address the cost concerns that have been raised as a false argument against doing what's pono. <br /> Some say it will drive up the price of food. This is just as false as the statements in years passed about plastic <br /> bags. While the cost of some safer alternative products is higher, that is not true for all the options. Even for the. <br /> most elegant and costly alternatives, this is a negligible increase. Testimony has been offered to this council last <br /> year, and I assume again this year, that retailers must increase prices if we pass this. It is not true. While the cost <br /> of a container may be 5-10 cents more, this is still only a small percentage of the price of the meal. Even if the <br /> full increase werepassed alongto customers, the increase would be about 10 cents, or 1 -2 %. <br /> donna No: <br /> 101.1 <br /> Ref. To: Irk Ems' <br /> FE?_.21_ <br /> 1 <br />