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• A 2013 study conducted by UH Hilo professor, Dr. Hank Carson (see attached), proved outright that some of the sources of marine debris around Hawaii are locally sourced. • Polystyrene,like most plastics, does not biodegrade and will last in our landfills indefinitely, despite their intended design to be used for less than an hour. And the second reason, economics: • The arguments AGAINST banning foam products are thinking in a very linear fashion. A two penny to 25 cents difference in the cost of a foam- alternative is just the bottom line to vendors. We need to think about the end life of these products in our landfills, along our roadsides, and eventually in our oceans. Foam food containers are costing taxpayers millions of dollars in hidden cleanup costs. • The Hilo landfill is full to exploding and they've been threatening to close it down for years. As such,the County commissioned a pilot study in 2012 to determine if it would be more cost efficient to haul East Hawai`i's waste to West Hawaii. The results of this study indicate that hauling solid waste across the island would cost the County at least $50 /ton or about $3,400,000 annually. The true "cost" of extra foam in our landfills is MUCH more than the negligible difference between the prices of a single compostable vs foam food container. • Hawaii State Department of Transportation — Highways Division in O`ahu produced a Trash Reduction Plan in 2016 that shows styrofoam and plastic bags as top contributors to the waste stream, and they even suggested a Styrofoam ban ordinance in their long-term control measures. • Hawaii Wildlife Fund estimates that it costs us about $800 per ton to remove marine debris from along the shores of Hawai`i Island. Over 85% of this debris is made of plastic, including polystyrene foam pieces. To date, we have removed nearly 200 tons of marine debris from this island with the help of thousands of volunteers. Hands down,the best way to prevent marine debris in the first place is to stop it at the source,with reduction bans, regulations and changes in consumer and commercial behavior. Last but not least, strong community support and simple common sense: • Over 135 restaurants and food vendors on Hawaii Island have already opted out of foam products for their take-out food containers, including mom and pop stores, Suisan Fish Market, Sam Choy's, and many more! • Two statewide foam bills are being heard during this legislative session (SB 1109 and HB 1545) and over 600 testimonies of support have been received by the state capitol for these initiatives. www.wildha wail org• Tax/D 99-0326669