2021-08-25 EMC agenda item 5-b(1) - HB1316_TESTIMONY_EEP_02-09-21_

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HB-1316 Submitted on: 2/8/2021 3:44:33 PM Testimony for EEP on 2/9/2021 9:00:00 AM Testifier Present at Submitted By Organization Position Hearing County of Maui Dep't of Tamara Farnsworth Support No Env. Mgmt. Comments: Aloha e Honorable Chair Lowen and Committee Members, The County of Maui Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division writes in support of HB1316. Recycling markets have been challenged for several years and municipalities have struggled to continue their recycling programs. Historically, manufacturers have externalized the costs and responsibility of disposal and recycling, leaving taxpayers to foot the bills. It is time to change this model, moving away from a linear supply chain and establishing a more circular economy of production. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) promotes better design, utilizing materials that already have an infrastructure for recycling into new products, decreasing the need for virgin materials, and supports more effective and efficient recycling systems. It takes the burden off of municipalities and incorporates a truer cost approach that will assist cities and counties to provide needed services to their constituents, all while promoting and instituting a new, better way of managing waste; by planning how to manage it in the design and manufacturing phase, before it becomes waste. This bill is complex, but has precedent with successful legislation and programming in Washington, and rides a current wave of positive EPR state and federal legislation. This bill provides the option for cities and counties to retain control over their programs in order to maintain continuity and oversight. It also provides for a third party to help administer and provide oversight for the program, which will help all parties to comply with the law. Extended Producer Responsibility is an important component of Zero Waste principles and practices; this bill will move Hawai`i forward, toward the highest and best use of precious resources. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on this matter.