HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.138 2024-2026From: Malama Aina
Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 8:53 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support Bill 83 - Roxie Castaneda Testimony
Aloha Hawai'i County Council,
I am writing to strongly urge you to support Bill 83, Draft 2, and its amendments
My name is Roxie Castaneda, I am a Zero Waste Youth Advocate with Recycle Hawaii and a sophomore at Kau High. 1 have worked
on the operations team of my program and I have witnessed first-hand the amount and impact of single -use plastics as we have
collected single -use plastics from our waste diversion in the cafeteria and our events hosted in Hawaii. As we all know, single -use
plastics have become an ubiquitous part of our daily lives, especially in the foodservice industry. While they offer convenience, their
environmental costs are devastating. These plastics often end up in our oceans, landfills, and all over the island, where they take
hundreds of years to go away, harming marine life, wildlife, and ecosystems in the process. Every year, every day, tons and tons of
plastic waste are generated from single -use utensils, straws, cups, and many more. The evidence is nothing but clear: single -use
plastic foodware is a significant contributor to plastic pollution. It also poses health risks, as the plastics leach harmful chemicals into
our food and beverages. Moreover, the production and disposal of these plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, influencing
climate change. By passing this bill, I believe we are taking a crucial step toward reducing plastic waste, protecting our environment,
and promoting sustainable practices and making a simple change with a significant impact.
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to our island's health, ecosystems, and future generations. Every year, more than 11
million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean, breaking down into microplastics that now contaminate our air, water, and even human
blood and organs. HawaiTs marine life —turtles, seabirds, and fish —are ingesting plastics at alarming rates, and these same toxins
enter our food chain.
Mahalo
Roxie Castaneda
Na'alehu 96772
Comm. 82 • Lt,—
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Ref. Date NO — N25