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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0064.028 2010-2012 Suisan Company, Limited 1965 Kamehameha Avenue Hilo, Hawaii 96720 February 1, 2011 Hawaii County Council Committee on Environmental Management 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Good Morning Committee Chair Brittany Smart and members of the Hawaii County Council, My name is Steve Ueda, and I am an employee of Suisan Co., Ltd., a wholesale distributor to about 700 businesses on Hawaii Island. Our product lines include food and food - related products. We sell plastic bags that are used at checkout to small independent retailers, mom & pop stores, convenience stores, and foodservice accounts. The accounts who purchase plastic bags from us choose plastic bags because they are economical, functional, and space efficient. Although not perfectly clear in the language of the bill, we assume that the reduction efforts will affect both retail and foodservice businesses. In the event that plastic checkout bags are restricted, we will continue to service all of our accounts with suitable alternatives. We oppose Hawaii County Bill 17 as currently written for the following reasons: 1. Plastic bags are very useful for foodservice businesses to accomodate take -out foods. Foods may be served in a hot or cold liquid form, such as soups or stews. Foods may be greasy, such as fried chicken. Food may generate steam or condensation. The moisture and grease resistance of plastic bags will contain these foods without tearing or spilling. 2. Paper bags will be a common substitute at checkout. Paper bags are more expensive, less moisture and grease resistant, and more bulky than plastic bags. This means higher legislated costs passed on to consumers, additional packaging used where one plastic bag may have sufficed, and more space used in incoming ocean containers, warehouses, and landfills. 3. Compostable plastic bags will be restricted. Compostable plastic bags are not commonly used today because they are not economical. However we expect that the packaging industry will respond to the changing needs of the market and develop innovative, economical, and environmentally sensitive Compostable plastic bags in the future. So we should not restrict compostable plastic bags. We respectfully request that Hawaii County allow businesses and consumers to continue to choose the best packaging for their needs rather than pass a bill that will force a flawed solution. Sincerely Steve da / Comm. No. 6 2 8 Ref. To: P146 MG Ref. Date FED 1 i