COM 0107.163 2016-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• 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 AM)FOOD SERVICE WARE. BE IT ORDAINED BY [HE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII: SECTION 1.Chapter 20,Hawaii County Code 1983(2016 Edition, asamended), is amended by adding a new article to be appropriately designated,and to read as follows: "Article_. Polystyrene Foam Food Container and Food Service Ware Reduction. Division 1. General Provisions. Section 20-_. Findings and purpose. Solid waste that is nondegradable or nonrecyclable poses unique problems for an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Disposal of such waste either takes up valuable air space in existing landfills or ends up as litter,sometimes in our marine environment. Polystyrene foam, sometimes incorrectly referred to as "Styrofoam," is neither degradable nor compostable. It is made from non-renewable fossil fuels and synthetic chemicals that can leach out over time into the environment, especially after contact with hot, greasy, or acidic foods. When discarded, polystyrene foam often breaks into tiny pieces, is mistaken for food and ingested by land and marine animals, including birds and fish. This is detrimental not only to wildlife but to other life forms in the food chain. In view of the detrimental impacts of'this substance inHawai'i County, it is the purpose of this article to:reduce the use of polystyrene foam food containers and food service ware by supermarkets and other vendors: eliminate the use of polystyrene foam for packaging prepared and unprepared food; and thereby . promote the use of environmentally preferable alternatives. Although foods packaged outside of the limits of Hawaii County are excluded from the provisions of this article,the purveyors of foods prepackaged outside of the limits of Hawai'i County are encouraged to follow these provisions 5