HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.188 2010-2012-13 -2011 06:44 From:ARC Stor,-s #63
8083264871 Tr 9618912 Paee:1'2
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ABC STORES R{aLIL 1- - 1\1
766 Pohukaina Street Telephone, (808) 591 -2550
Honolulu. Hawaii 96813 -5391 Fax: (808) 591 -2039
www.abcstores.00m E -mail: mailtabc&tores.cons
November 7, 2011
Council Member Dominic Yagong, Chairperson and Presiding Officer
Council Member Pete Hoffman, Vice Chair
County Council
County of Hawaii, Hilo, Hawaii
HEARING: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 5:00 pm
RE: Bill 17, Draft 2 An Ordinance Amending Chapter a Hawaii County Cods 1983 (2005
Editions as Amended) by Adding a New Article Relating to Plastic Bag Reduction.
Chair Yagong, Vice Chair Pilago and Council Members:
Sri
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ABC Stores is a local retail chain with stores located Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. On the Big
Island, we have five locations; 4 stores in Kona and 1 store in Waikoioa.
ABC Stores is in opposition to this proposal that prohibits businesses from providing plastic checkout
bags to their customers.
Hawaii's retailers unquestionably support initiatives to preserve and protect our environment. The
solution to the plastic bag issue is neither a total ban nor questionable substitutes, but the wise
management of this resource, i.e,, the "reduce, reuse and recycle" principle. We absolutely support the
broadest use of reusable tote bags as the ultimate solution. However, we do know that consumers'
acceptance and use of these bags will not be universal or practical at all times. Non- grocery retailers:
garden and hardware, drycleaners, apparel stores and restaurants provide plastic carry bags of various
sizes that are the most appropriate and effective bags for their products.
Retailers are in the business of providing goods to consumers and must provide a vehicle for customers
to transport their purchases out of the store. Businesses in both Maui County and Kauai County which
have banned plastic checkout bags, have switched to paper bags, which have higher cost and serious
negative environmental implications
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; this volume measure is critical for ocean freight. These costs will
be passed on to the consumer.
Please note these comments:
From the Maui News, 10/14/10:
"Puka/ani Superette general manager Jerry Masaki said paper bags, which must be kept on hand
in a variety of sizes, are expected to cost his business an extra $1,000 a month."
From the Honolulu Star - Advertiser, 1/16/11:
"'Paper bags are more expensive. It's three or four times more (than plastic),' said Rod Sueoka,
manager of Sueoka Store on Kauai."
Travel Resort .Retail
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Additionally, there are serious environmental impacts of air and water pollution and green house gas
emissions with the proposed alternatives. From the ULS Report (htt use- less- stuff.com /research,htrn ):
paper bags generate 70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags.
The PLASTIC SAGS provided to consumers at point of sale are RECYCLABLE. Our retailers already
encourage recycling by provide bins at stores and shipping the collected plastic bags to the mainland for
recycling.
The PLASTIC BAGS provided to consumers at point of sale are REUSABLE. Consumers reuse plastic
grocery bags for a multitude of tasks: cleaning up after pets, lining waste baskets, packing shoes and
other items when traveling. Not having these bags provided by retailers, consumers will resort to
purchasing plastic bags. This will not necessarily reduce the amount of plastic in the environment.
We respectfully submit for your consideration the establishment of a collaborative group of stakeholders
to work with the Department of Environmental Management to develop reasonable, manageable and
effective regulation. 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 tor the opportunity to comment on this measure,
Sincerely,
•
RONALD IWAMOTO
Store Manager