HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.350 2024-2026Testimony for Hawai'i County Council Meeting- December 3, 2025
Bill 83- Relating to Plastic and Polystyrene Waste
Position: Oppose with recommendations
o
C'�
oCZ
To: Hawai'i County Council
From: Stephen Ueda
N3
o <
Company: Suisan Company, Limited
-ri
Y
L=
Date: December 3, 2025
_
o
Y '�
Dear Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Members of the Council,
My name is Stephen Ueda, and I am the President of Suisan Company, Limited, a local, family -
owned business serving Hawaii Island's food industry and small businesses. Thank you for the
opportunity to testify again on Bill 83.
I support the goal of reducing waste on Hawaii Island. My concern is whether Bill83, as written, will
work with the systems we have today and whether it will lead to real reductions in landfill waste. We
still do not have a local facility that can process compostable containers, and many local
businesses have shared the same concern with me.
I understand that the Council is ready to move this billforward. Because of that, I want to focus on
two important changes that would make the bill more practical and workable for our island.
1. Allow any compostable container certified to ASTM D6400 or D6868.
The current bill only allows containers that have a CMA certification or the BPI logo. But CMA and
BPI are simply two organizations that verify compostability. They, along with NSF, TOV Austria, and
others, all use the same scientific standards: ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868. These ASTM standards
are what determine whether a product can break down under industrial composting conditions.
I respectfully ask that the bill allow any product certified to ASTM D6400 or D6868, even if it does
not carry the CMA or BPI mark. This keeps the environmental standard strong without limitingthe
island to only two certification programs.
2. Many"niche" containers do not yet have compostable alternatives.
Compostable versions exist for common items like clamshells and paper bowls. However, there are
very few or no compostable options for certain specialty containers used by island restaurants.
These include sushi trays, donburi bowls, multi-compartment:bentos, catering platters, and other
niche food containers. These items are essential for many localfood businesses.
Comm. . ✓.7V
Ref. To:
Ref. Date DEC - i 2025
Without compostable alternatives for these niche items, some businesses simply will not have a
suitable container to use if the current version of the bill takes effect.
3. The bill needs more transition time, practical exemptions, and time for education.
Many niche containers are slow -moving, and businesses may need months to a year to use up
existing inventory. It will also take time to find compostable alternatives, test whether they work for
specific menu items, and secure reliable supply. Without this time, many operators would face
significant hardship.
Businesses also need time to understand the bill. Many are already asking basic questions about
what the rules mean in day-to-day operations —for example, whether advance -packed desserts
count as "prepared food:' Clear answers and guidance will take time to develop. The 180-day
hardship exemption is not enough. Longer transition periods and "no reasonable alternative"
exemptions are needed to help businesses complyfairlyand avoid disruptions.
Conclusion
For these reasons, I respectfully ask the Council to amend Bill 83 to:
1. Allow any compostable product certified to ASTM D6400 or D6868, not only those with
CMA or BPI logos.
2. Provide more transition time and practical exemptions, especially for niche containers
that currently have no compostable alternatives and for businesses needing time to
understand and follow the new rules.
These changes keep the environmental goals of Bill 83 intact while giving Hawai'i Island a fair and
realistic path to comply.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Stephen Ueda
President & CEO
Suisan Company, Limited
Ai