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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0663.006 2008-2010Murashige, Laura From: Carol Pregill [cpregill ©rmhawaii.org] Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 11:55 AM To: counciltestimony©co hawaii.hi.us Subject: Testimony. Hearing on January 5, 2010 at 2.00 pm Attachments: Testimony- 20108_Biglsland -Bill 193_Plastic Bags - Jan05 -rev pdf Aloha FROM. Carol Pregill, President, Retail Merchants of Hawaii Environmental Management Committee, Hawaii County Tuesday, January 5, 2010 2:00 pm Bill 193 C) Councilroom 00 Z Please see attached for distribution. Thank you. �? CaroC Carol Pregill, President r Retail Merchants of Hawaii 1240 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 215 Honolulu, HI 96814 Tel. (808) 592 -4200 / Fax (808) 592 -4202 URL www RMHawaii org 1/5/2010 Comm. No. Ref. To: Ref. Date Page 1 of 1 w Council Member Kelly Greenwell, Chair Council Member Brenda Ford, Vice Chair Committee on Environmental Management County of Hawaii HEARING Tuesday, January 5, 2010 2:00 pm Councilroom RETAIL MERCHANTS OF HAWAII 1240 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 215 Honolulu, HI 96814 ph: 808 -592 -4200 / Fax: 808 - 592 -4202 . c chants ii nrin ��� * 0 W nee 19 as Amended) la RE: Bill 193: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14, Hawaii County Code 1983 j2005 Edition Adding a New Article Relating to Plastic Bag Reduction. Chair Greenwell, Vice Chair Ford, and Members of the Environmental Management Committee Retail Merchants of Hawaii (RMH) is a not - for - profit trade organization representing 200 members statewide and over 2,000 storefronts, and is committed to support the retail industry and business in general in Hawaii RMH stands in strong opposition to this bill that prohibits businesses from providing plastic check out bags to their customers Hawaii's retailers absolutely support initiatives to preserve and protect our environment. The solution to the plastic bag issue is not in a total ban, but in the wise management of this resource, i.e., the "reduce, reuse and recycle" principle We unquestionably support the broadest use of reusable tote bags as the ultimate solution, and have been proactive in providing these for our customers. Additionally, we encourage plastic bag recycling by providing convenient bins at store entrances, then recycling the collected bags. However, we do know that consumers' acceptance and use of reusable baqs will not be universal, affordable or practical at all times This measure assumes a one- size - fits -all solution that severely limits consumers' options There is a cost factor with reusable bags that could put an unreasonable burden on low- income families Consumers will demand an alternative, and, as has occurred in mainland cities that have banned plastic bags, the industry will turn to recyclable paper bags for their customers. Recyclable paper bags are up to ten times more expensive than plastic, in actual purchase price and in increased shipping costs to Hawaii For every one truck that delivers plastic bags, seven trucks are needed to deliver the same number of paper bags The result higher cost for consumers and needless waste of energy resources The stated purpose of this bill is to reduce the use of plastic bags, yet the focus is specific to the free bags provided by businesses at check out and ignores the multitude of plastic bags available for sale Consumers report that they reuse their plastic grocery bags for everyday household tasks like lining waste baskets and sanitary cleaning up after pets If these free bags are not available, consumers undoubtedly will purchase plastic bags for these uses We respectfully submit for your consideration a comprehensive recycling program, similar to those enacted in the State of California and in New York City These programs require that defined retailers provide 1) visible and accessible collection bins for recycling; 2) reusable bags for purchase and use in lieu of plastic; 3) education via recycling messages printed on recyclable bags; and 4) that the collected plastic bags are recycled. RMH is eager to work with the Hawaii County Council, the Department of Environmental Management and Big Island retailers to develop a partnership, particularly in the critical consumer education component. Our mutual goals are to maximize the usage of reusable bags, to provide plastic bags to consumers for their personal, practical uses, and to recycle the excess bags, without over- burdening our residents. Thank you for your consideration and for the opportunity to comment on this measure. --- c.an.+ -6{ as / Carol Pregill, President