Laserfiche WebLink
Summary of Testimony on Bill 13 <br /> March 7, 2017 <br /> Page 3 of 7 <br /> of new packaging progress during the period of the exemption, so that when acceptable <br /> materials are available,the exemption could be voided. This would require a robust set of <br /> administrative rules, continued review of market research and test results, all of which will <br /> require additional budget and personnel. <br /> Education: The mandatory education section of the Bill would require DEM to communicate to <br /> the public both the nature of the new requirement, and also the need to dispose of <br /> recyclable/compostable items appropriately. Compostable or not, a packaging ought not leave <br /> a vehicle, park bench or beach blanket unless it is going into a proper waste receptacle. DEM is <br /> very concerned with litter and will attempt to create a program that addresses the problem <br /> across the County of Hawai'i. DEM has no empirical data available to support the belief that <br /> most polystyrene and other food packaging wastes enter the environment from littering.That <br /> being said,few other sources of the waste can be identified.This (littering compostable <br /> packaging) is another issue where Bill 13 education is required. <br /> As stated in previous sections, Bill 13 will require that additional budget and personnel be made <br /> available to design and implement an appropriate education program. <br /> I thank you for your kind attention. <br /> The following pages contain specific comments on the text of Bill 13. <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />