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

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Adrian Hong, President Island Plastic Bags As the representative for the plastic industry in Hawaii, we are grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the Plastic Source Reduction Working Group. We agree broadly with the recommendations made by the working group with an important caveat. We believe that all future legislation regarding packaging and plastics should remain material neutral. This means that one material versus another is not maligned unless there is evidence to support such a position in a particular application. Plastics are often maligned because of its detrimental impact when it is not disposed of properly. The truth of the matter is that plastics are a vital material that provides incredible benefits for everyone. The COVID- 19 pandemic proved that through the use of plastics in plexiglass barriers, masks, and other vital equipment --- it keeps us all healthy and safe. Plastics are used in transportation, construction, health, waste disposal, food manufacturing, and myriad other applications to make us more prosperous, healthier, and safer. Another truth is there is no alternative material that is better than plastics for the environment in every lifecycle assessment category (ex. greenhouse gases, water consumption, toxicity, land occupation, etc.). The lifecycle assessments at analyses should be used to determine which materials are used in which applications. No one argues the detrimental impact of improperly disposed plastic on our environment. The plastic industry in Hawaii humbly asks legislators when considering future environmental legislation to assess whether it solves the proposed issue and does the benefits of such legislation outweigh the costs, economically and environmentally. Thank you again for the opportunity to participate in this endeavor. 20