HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.267 2024-2026Testimony IN SUPPORT of Bill
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Recycle Hawaii
83, Draft 2
COtINI Y CLf rite
C0UINTY OF 1-1A1YA;;'
2025 NOV 18 PH 12: 06
Aloha Chair Inaba and Distinguished Members of the Hawaii County Council,
As the state's longest standing and most actively involved organization dedicated to preventing
waste, and an organization engaged in the effort to end plastic pollution at all levels of society,
Recycle Hawai'i submits this testimony in strong support of Bill 83, Draft 2. We applaud
Councilmembers Galimba and Villegas for introducing it. We acknowledge Councilmember
Kagiwada for the valuable contribution she made to perfect it; and we are most grateful to all
members for the attention they have given this matter as supporters and even opponents.
Given the significant impact the bill will have it is critical that the approval process be robust
and relevant.
At this point in the process, we would refer councilmembers to our prior testimony with regards
to the underlying need for the ordinance. A great deal has been written and said about plastic
pollution and the serious threat it poses to the well being of all life on Planet Earth. We take
this opportunity to address instead issues related to the impact passage would have on
stakeholders, including food vendors, consumers and those responsible for managing our
island's waste stream.
While we concede that passage of Bill 83 will create challenges, we stand resolute in our belief
that they can be met effectively and in ways that build community around the common value of
'aina aloha, with this engaged community including residents as well as visitors. Our
organization is regularly involved in staging events with the intention of reducing the volume of
waste they generate. Without exception, those attending these events are willing (and often
also eager) to comply with the extra effort it takes to sort their discarded items in ways that
allow us to compost them later. We can also verify that there is a robust network of 'aina aloha
minded volunteers willing to take and compost the materials post event. And while this network
operates underground, the volunteers that comprise it are more than willing (and also eager) to
continue their good work in ways that are sanctioned by the county and the state department
of health. Add to this the zealous support we receive from visitors who are grateful for
opportunities that allow them to lessen their impact on HawaiTs precious environment and it
becomes clear that there is enough grassroots level support to make this critical step on
Hawai'i Island's path to zero waste a resounding success.
We urge the council to look forward with confidence and with a commitment to support
organizations like ours as we work to provide the education, outreach and services need to
make compliance with the bill's provisions easy and meaningful.
Kristine Kubat
Executive Director
Recycle Hawaii
Comm. 1 l
Ref. To:
Ref. Date, NOV 1 9 25