HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.112 2024-2026<REVISED TESTIMONY>
October 6, 2025
Policy Committee on Environmental and Natural Resource Management
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c/o Hawai'i County Council
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25 Aupuni St.
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Hilo HI 96720
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74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
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Kailua Kona HI 96740
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Re: Strong support for Bill 83 with recommended amendments
Aloha Chair Villegas and members of the Committee,
The Sierra Club of Hawaii, Hawaii Island Group (HIG) strongly supports this bill, but requests
the Committee to consider amendments based upon the following comments.
Section 3
Because food providers on other islands have avoid the legislative intent of similar bills by
simply using thicker plastic and saying it's reusable, HIG recommends adding "any material that
is not reusable" for "disposable".
After consultation with community groups, HIG recommends adding language to ensure the
materials utilized for reusables are environmentally friendly.
For "reusable", strengthen the definition so it applies only to items in a functioning return and
wash system, as recommended by Hawaii Environmental Change Agents.
"Reusable" means foodware that is repeatedly returned to the food provider or reuse service
provider for reuse and is:
a) Explicitly designed and marketed to be used multiple times for the same product or for
another foodware use in a supply chain without undergoing a change in form;
b) Designed for durability to function in its original condition ensuring the foodware can be
conveniently and safely reused for multiple cycles; and,
c) Part of an established system allowing it to be repeatedly recovered, inspected, cleaned
and reissued into the supply chain for reuse for multiple cycles,
d) Not constructed of polystyrene or plastic for the base of the container that is in primary
comm. `
Ref. To:
Ref. Date - E25
P 0 Box 1137 Hilo, HI 96721-1137 1 hawaiiislandsierraclub(agmaii.com sierraclubhig.org
Section 5
HIG does not support efforts to remove reusables from the bill and urges this Committee to
explicitly include "reusable" in the operative language of the bill, not just in a section title, as
recommended by Hawaii Environmental Change Agents.
Keeping reusables in the bill gives food providers more options, which may lead more people to
support the bill.
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify.
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