HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.354 2024-2026From:
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Aloha Council Members,
Sarah
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 8:03 AM
Council Testimony
Strong Support - Bill 83
I am testifying in strong support of Bilt 83.
I would like to address several opposing concerns using our own County data.
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1. "Compostables in the landfill will increase greenhouse gas emissions."
Greenhouse gas production in a landfill comes almost entirely from organic waste, not from
compostable serviceware. According to Hawai'i County's 2019 Waste Characterization Study, our waste
stream is made up of:
• Organics: 69,448 tons/year
• Paper: 47,130 tons/year
• Plastic: 17,482 tons/year
• Total waste: 210,030 tons/year
Compostable containers represent less than 1 % of the total stream, so suggesting that switching from
plastic to compostable serviceware meaningfully changes methane output is not supported by the
County's own data. The far bigger climate driver is the tens of thousands of tons of food waste already
going into the landfill - food waste that CAN be potentially diverted with future composting systems.
2. "PLAwill not break down in the landfill."
Neither does plastic.
The difference is what happens while they sit there: Petroleum plastics leach toxic chemicals,
plasticizers, PFAS, and additives for decades. PLA does not.
If both materials persist, the County should prefer the one that does not contribute to soil and
groundwater contamination.
3. "PLA contains bioplastic additives and will release microplastics when it degrades."
This is factually incorrect.
Products certified under ASTM D6400 must fully degrade on a chemical level. The standard explicitly
prohibits:
• residual microplastics,
• persistent fragments,
• heavy metals,
• and toxic residues.
Comm.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date I Ne ---3 2025
PLA does not fragment into microplastics the way plastic does. Oil -based plastics are the clear
microplastic risk.
Before I close, I'd like to once again address the concern about "cost." We use that word as if itjustifies
inaction. In reality, we all make decisions every day that require spending now to protect ourselves later.
So I'll ask directly: Do you contribute to a retirement fund? Many of us do. Not because it's free, not
because it feels good in the moment, but because we understand the math. We know that a small
investment today prevents a massive financial burden tomorrow.
Transitioning to compostable, non -toxic materials is an investment - one that offers preservation of the
remaining life of our landfill, avoids future multi -million -dollar liabilities, and builds the foundation for
local food security and healthier soil. Plastic creates permanent costs; compostables create long-
term value.
If we're willing to invest in our own future, we should be willing to invest in the island's future as well.
That's the choice in front of us today.
Mahalo nui,
Sarah Warr
mobile: (808) 333-4717
sarahrafferty ftmail. cam
"# A75