HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.062 2010-2012 Page 1 of 1
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Murashige, Laura
From: Donna R. Goodale [donna @goodale.org]
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011 6:50 PM IT
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: FW: Bill 17; Plastic bag reduction
From: Kristina Todorov [mailto:chocolatemufin909 @gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 20119:17 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.us
Cc: dgoodale @hualalai.org
Subject: Bill 17; Plastic bag reduction
Names: Louisa Duggan and Kristina Todorov
Ages: Both 12
Mailing adresses: 77 -6335 AM Dr. 96740 Kailua Kona, Hawaii.
75 -344 Melelina PI. Kailua -Kona HI, 96740
Emails: kristinatodorov @yahoo.com and mu_ffin909@gmail.c_om
Bill 17
Plastic bags are convenient and fine for the environment. Americans consume 100
billion plastic shopping bags a year; About 1,200 bags per resident. This is because they
are easy to use and economically friendly.
Although 1 million or more marine animals or birds die due to plastic debris, only a
small fraction of the fatal plastic is plastic shopping bags. This number of killed animals is
extremely miniscule compared to the amount of animals we slaughter for food, game, or
clothing. No species population has noticeably decreased due to plastic shopping bags.
Plastic bags are simply much more convenient. They are much more durable, less
expensive, stronger, and they are water - resistant. Paper bags rip and tear, and are very
bulky. Also, one gallon of water is used for every paper bag manufactured.
The favored alternative to plastic bags are cloth bags. Cloth bags grow bacteria,
which is a major health hazard. The other alternative, paper bags, also is not good for the
environment or us. We cut down 14 million or more trees every year to produce paper
bags. The machinery used to transport and to make them uses more money, and uses oil.
The fact that for every 7 trucks filled with paper bags, it only takes 1 truck to transport
the same amount of plastic bags. With more vehicles needed to deliver paper bags, this
uses more fuel and money. Paper and cloth bags can't hold nearly as much weight as
plastic bags can.
The use, or lack of plastic bags has no effect on the United State's dependency on
foreign oil; The amount of oil used for making plastic bags is extremely small and
insignificant.
Instead of focusing on reducing the amount of plastic shopping bags consumed
we should be putting our effort into a bigger issue that will make a bigger impact on
the environment. We should be looking into cleaner alternatives to powering our
vehicles, such as solar or wind power, or our electricity.
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2/15/2011 Ref. To
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