HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0663.012 2008-2010P/
TESTIMONY
TO THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
ON BILL NO. 193
RELATING TO THE BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS k.
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February 1, 2010 On � T J
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Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this measure.
Blanc Aburamen
Blane's Drive Inn
150 Wiwo`ole Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Comm. No.
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Chair Greenwell and members of the Hawai`i County Council Committee on Environmental-
Management, thank you for the opportunity to testify in opposition of Bill 193. y r I
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I believe this bill will have a major impact on small businesses, a negative impact. Durin >these difficult
economic times when we are trying in every way to cut our costs while reducing our prices to attrat
customers, this Bill will offset all of our efforts.
This Bill will force us to spend money on getting something to replace plastic bags. Paper bags do not
work well in the foodservice industry and require immense storage space. The true biodegradable plastic
bag costs five times as much as regular plastic bags, nor do they store well. Made from corn starch or
potato starch, they break down with heat and also with moisture. With the moisture in H ilo and and the
heat of Kona, what do you think will be the percentage of waste should we be forced to use biodegradable
plastic? We have trimmed all the fat from our business and cannot afford to absorb any additional costs.
This, we would have to pass on to the consumer
I think the County Council should focus on ways to help the small business owner rather than Binder. I
urge you to vote against Bill 193.