HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.145 2024-202641k;JENWAVE
f COPSLILLCTING
/GROMTM STRATEGISTS
Testimony in Support of Bill 83, Draft 2
Single -Use Plastic Ban on the Island ofAawai'l
Honorable Councilmembers,
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in strong support of Bill 83, Draft 2, which
would phase out single -use plastics on Hawai'i Island. I appreciate your leadership on this
critical issue for our communities, our oceans, and our future generations.
1. Why This Matters
• Single -use plastics are among the most persistent sources of pollution: many products are
discarded after only a few minutes of use yet persist in landfills, coastal environments, and
marine systems for decades.
• Globally, the production and consumption of single -use plastic is a major driver of
pollution and carbon emissions.
• Nearly 47% of U.S. plastic waste comes from single -use products and packaging, including
cups, containers, straws, and utensils.
• Beyond bags, banning broader single -use plastics —like foam cups, containers, and
utensils —has been shown to reduce waste in both land and marine environments
significantly.
• Hawai'i Island's unique environment —our reefs, our coastlines, our cultural relationship
to the land and sea —makes it especially important that we act local, bold, and early.
We have an opportunity to be the example for our future generations. To not leave our
keiki and the future stewards of our beloved Aina with more problems than solutions.
Comm. RL
Ref. To:
Ref. Date - 52025
2. What Other Jurisdictions Have Done — and What We've Learned
• In the U.S., as of March 2025, 19 states and territories have jurisdiction -wide bans on one
or more single -use plastics.
• On university campuses, bans on bottled plastic products reduced plastic waste by 34% in
the first year of implementation.
• Shoreline clean-up data from coastal regions show that areas with plastic bans experience
25% to 47% less plastic litter compared to neighboring regions without bans.
• In California, overall single -use plastic consumption dropped by approximately 70% after
the statewide bag and foam container bans went into effect.
• Globally, surveys show public support: in 28 countries, over 75% of respondents
supported single -use plastic bans, and 88% supported an international treaty on plastic
pollution.
• However, in areas without composting infrastructure, compostable alternatives often end
up in landfills —limiting their environmental benefit.
• Studies show strong outcomes: bans in five major jurisdictions have cut single -use plastic
bag consumption by about 6 billion bags per year —enough to circle the Earth 42 times.
• Bans can reduce plastic bag litter by one-third or more, and eliminate nearly 300
single -use plastic bags per person per year in some places.
3. What This Means for Hawaii Island & Bill 83
Bill 83 presents a timely and necessary step toward a zero -waste, circular economy on
Hawari Island. It positions us to curb pollution, align with our regenerative farming and
waste -diversion goals, and lead as an island community embracing full -system solutions.
The data confirms that bans work —with measurable declines in disposable plastic use and
litter. But success depends on infrastructure: the ability to manage compostable alternatives
effectively in tandem will help immensely.
We already have compostable, plant -based, or certified alternatives to many single -use
plastics. Still, without access to in -vessel composters or industrial composting systems,
these may not degrade as intended. Therefore, Bill 83 should be paired with investment and
policy support for compost infrastructure —enabling our facilities to accept compostable
foodware, cutlery, straws, and more.
4. Call to Action
• Pass Bill 83, Draft 2, and commit to parallel investment in composting
infrastructure —such as in -vessel or industrial composting systems on Hawai'i Island.
• Adopt clear metrics: target reduction in disposable plastic items distributed per year;
increase in composting capacity (tons/year); and compostable diversion rates.
• Engage stakeholders —including local food vendors, farms, and community
organizations —to ensure a smooth transition and garner the support for these initiatives.
5. Closing
Passage of Bill 83 presents Hawaft Island with a meaningful opportunity to lead —both in
eliminating problematic single -use plastics and in building a regenerative material diversion
system. When paired with composting infrastructure, we can transform "waste" into a
resource, support local agriculture, and model sustainable island living for the world.
Mahalo nui loa for your consideration and leadership.
Respectfully submitted,
Sam De La Paz - GreenWave Advisors/Consulting
Email - Sam@ereenwaveconsult.us Phone - 808-960-9904