HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.174 2024-2026November 5, 2025
To: Hawaii County Council
From. [YOUR NAME] I 1 ��
1
(COMPANY NAME] ''!! / r
RE: Bill 83 - Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste
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Position: Oppose (with recommendations)
Dear Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onlshi, and Members of the Committee:
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My name is [YOUR NAME], and l am the (YOUR POSITION, COMPANYNAME]. [BRIEF
BACKGROUND ON YOUR COMPANY; EXAMPLE:
to
As a local, family -owned restaurant
business since jDATE], I believe that Bill 83 would create problems forlocal businesses and
raise food prices -without helping the environment in a tangible way.]
1. No Composting Facility
Hawaii County does not have a composting facility that can process the containers
required under this bill. That means even "compostable" packaging will
end up in the
landfill. if the County wants to ban certain materials, there shouldfirst be a system in
place to process the new materials Otherwise,
properly. we are adding costs without
reducing waste.
2. Higher Costs for Businesses and Families
Restaurants and takeout spots depend on the containers and utensils this bill would
ban. The Compostable versions are much more expensive:
a. Compostable forks cost twice as much as current plastic forks.
b. Compostable containers cost at least 40% more than the containers most places
use today.
When small businesses pay more for supplies, they have no choice but to raise
prices. That means families end up paying more for meals, at a time when everything
is already more expensive.
3. Food Safety and Quality Problems
Compostable containers do not hold up well in real life.
a. Hot or oily food leaks through or melts the lid.
b. Compostable forks and spoons break or get soft in hot foods or soups.
As one local restaurant owner said, "The compostablecontainer leaks -you cant store
the food too long, and the cover melts. 'if containers fail, the food becomes unsafe, and
customers lose trust in local businesses.
4. Different Rules Across Counties Comm. ' 1
Ref. To:
Each county in Hawaii has its own packaging rules, which makes things very confusing Ref. Date 5," 2025
for businesses that sell in more than one county. L1ra support making Ha, very"
C
�" _aounty's
rules match Honolulu's law (Ordinance 19-30), esses and That law already gives busin
the environment a fair hale... -_.
5, Better Ways to Improve the Bill
Instead of a full ban, we suggest a few changes to make the till more l and sate
a. Allow Type 5 (polypropylene) plastics- These are reusable, recyclable,
for hot food. They are a practical and proven option.
b. Wait until composting facilities exist- Do not require materials that the island
cannot process yet.
c Study the economic impact- Understand how much this change would really cost
small businesses and customers before passing it.
6. Conclusion
Everyone wants to protect Hawai s environment -we do too. But Bill 83 goes too far, too
fast. It raises costs, makes food packaging less safe, and does not reduce landfill waste
because the right facilities do not exist yet.
We ask the Committee to hold off on passing this bill and take more time to build the
infrastructure and find solutions that truly work for our island.
Mahe to for your time and consideration.
(Y UR
(PO T10N]
[COMPANYNAME]
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