2021-08-25 EMC Agenda item 5-b(1) - Final-PSRWG-Report-to-Leg

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Dan Kouchi Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Thank you for the opportunity to participate as a member of the Plastic Source Reduction Working Group. Like many other aspects of our day to day lives, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that businesses rely on single-use plastic. With current stay-at-home orders in place, and socially distancing guidelines to abide by, every industry has been affected. For example, restaurants across the state are now relying heavily on take-out sales to keep their doors open and employees hired. To add to this already challenging time, mandates prohibiting certain plastic service ware and food containers are set to go into effect over the next two years in counties that previously did not have these in place, adding additional burdens at a time when there are heightened hygiene and health safety guidelines. As we enter the sixth month of the pandemic, our local businesses across the state continue to face enormous financial burdens. Back in July, UHERO released a report forecasting that total employment in Hawaii would not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2029. In August, the Chamber, in partnership with UHERO and other organizations, released findings to a follow-up survey about the ongoing impacts of this remained significantly depressed with nearly 20% of businesses reported having no revenue and another 20% reported earning less than half of their baseline monthly revenue in July. The survey also found that nearly 51% of businesses surveyed indicated that either additional cuts would be needed, or their business st would not survive if the current quarantine orders remain in place until October 1. Yet another delay on the reopening of trans-Pacific travel, paired with the second and then extended stay-at-home order for Oahu, aily occurrence While this report does provide recommendations to our legislators related to policy to address plastic waste reduction, given the reasons above, we hope that these recommendations are carefully considered. We need to ensure that any proposed policy changes are realistic for businesses to implement in a post-COVID environment. 19