HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.083 2024-2026From: Rivera, Michael G.
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2025 9:23 AM
To: Council Testimony
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Subject: Testimony on Bill 83 — Support with Amendments
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Aloha Chair Villegas, Vice Chair Kagiwada, and Councilmembers,
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My name is Mike Rivera, and I am writing in strong support of Bill 83, with amendments
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role of reuse.
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The current language focuses almost entirely on compostables, with only a slight mention of reusables.
Hawai'i County currently has no commercial composting infrastructure, so the use of.compostable food
ware would be screened out from the processed green waste where itwill be disposed in the landfill. By
contrast, reuse offers a durable, scalable solution, and with a new reusable food ware program
launching in Hilo next year, the ordinance would provide critical support if reuse is clearly prioritized.
I respectfully encourage you to:
1. Strengthen the definition of "reusable" so it applies only to items in a true return -and -wash
system.
2. Explicitly include "reusable" in the operative language of the bill.
3. Prioritize enforcement of whichever system —reuse or compostables—has real infrastructure in
place. I
Hawaii County has already shown leadership by banning polystyrene. Bill 83 adds to the County's
leadership by making reuse the cornerstone of waste reduction. Please pass this bill with amendments
to ensure reuse is recognized and supported as the most effective long-term solution.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
Mike Rivera
Solid Waste Division Chief
County of Hawaii
Dept. of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division
345 Kekuan5o'a Street, Suite 41
Hilo,'Hawai i 96720
Phone: (808) 961-8515
Cell: (808) 494-8113
`WA Please consider the environment before printing.this e-mail.
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