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11OF c, N Harry Kim !�'•l:,y �=.' William A.Kucharski Mayor - " Director •�' 0.�:- Diane A.Noda Wilfred M.Okabe rE oF'N►`w.- Managing Director Deputy Director CUMIN of%Avar`r DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 345 Kekuanao`a Street,Suite 41 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 (808)961-8083 •Fax(808)961-8086 httn://www.hawaiicountv.govienvironmental-management/ Summary of Testimony on Bill 13 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE RELATING TO REDUCTION OF POLYSTYRENE FOAM "STYROFOAM" FOOD CONTAINERS AND FOOD SERVICE WARE My name is William Kucharski and I am the Director of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM)for the County of Hawai'i. I have been asked to prepare and deliver testimony on`Bill 13 (Draft 2), hereafter"Bill 13" or the "Bill," dealing with the reduction of the use of polystyrene foam in the County of Hawai'i for single food service use. DEM is responsible for managing County owned and operated solid waste disposal facilities, including East Hawaii Sanitary Landfill in Hilo and West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill, Puuanahulu, in North Kona. The goal of reducing the use of polystyrene foam products is driven by the impact of this product on our environment. Before commencing DEM testimony, it must be stated that without supplying the financial and personnel resources necessary to train personnel, develop administrative rules and to adequately enforce the polystyrene foam ban in the County of Hawai'i,a disservice to the Bill, DEM and the citizens of our County will occur. Therefore,without adequate financial and personnel support,in spite of supporting its goals and intent, DEM cannot support this Bill. Bill 13 bans the specific use of polystyrene foam, a "recyclable" material, in one time use food packaging. The Bill would impact retail grocery stores,food marts,food delivery services and food packagers to name a few. The financial impacts to these institutions and the public are outside of the DEM's area of responsibility and others can better address these impacts to the Council. DEM's comments will be limited to the impact of the Bill on DEM operations and waste stream volumes. Attached are specific comments on specific sections of the Bill and unless otherwise instructed DEM will leave those comments to your perusal after this hearing. The comments reflect the verbiage of the Bill as currently drafted, and does not contain recommendation for changes. The testimony that follows does contain recommendations. The first issue DEM considered is why the Bill only addresses the "recyclable" polystyrene foam and does not address the use of materials in single use food packaging that are not compostable or readily recyclable. Whether Bill 13 bans only polystyrene foam or all recyclable but not compostable materials, enforcement and management of Bill 13 by DEM will require additional personnel and funding for education, enforcement,training, administrative hearings and rule making. While County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.