HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.216 2010-2012 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
rI COUNal..
From: B.E.A.C.H. [
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 7:51 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: testimony for Wed. 21st Dec. 2011 9am
Attachments: Testimony from B.E.A.C.H.pdf
Aloha,
Please find attached 2 page testimony for Bill 17, Draft 2, Plastic Bag Reduction. We also sent a signed copy via
fax(808 961 8912) this morning. If someone is able to confirm that you received the fax, we would appreciate
that.
Thank you,
Suzanne Frazer& Dean Otsuki.
Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai'i (B.E.A.C.H.)
.a C)
an o
N
g n
rl
N -
Comm. N .04• Z��O
Ref. To: _
Ref. Date 2 1 2011
12/20/2011
Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i
P O.Box 25284 • Honolulu • IJalt ui'i • 96825
(208)393 2168 • u a c.b e ra c h.org
DATE: 21st December, 2011, gam
TO: Hawai'i County Council members
FROM: Suzanne Frazer and Dean Otsuki, Co-Founders,
Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai'i (B.E.A.C.H.)
TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BILL 17, DRAFT 2, PLASTIC BAG
REDUCTION -AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 HAWAI'i COUNTY
CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION,AS AMENDED) BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE
RELATING TO PLASTIC BAG REDUCTION
We strongly support this bill banning the distribution of plastic shopping bags at checkout by
businesses on the island of Hawai'i. This action is needed to protect marine life and the
environment.
Plastic bags in the water are mistaken by sea turtles for jellyfish. jellyfish are a main source of
fbod for all sea turtle hatchlings and for adult Leatherback sea turtles which are endangered.
All other sea turtle species are listed as threatened. Plastic bags are extremely dangerous to
sea turtles. After eating plastic bags, sea turtles die painful deaths from internal blockages and
starvation. We must take steps to prevent further devastation of these species. Banning plastic
shopping bags is a necessary step towards protecting sea turtles.
Along with sea turtles,fish, whales and other marine life are also eating plastic in the ocean.
Plastic bags are easily carried by wind from the land to the ocean. This bill is an important first
step towards addressing the growing problem of plastic accumulation in the ocean, waterways
and on land. Plastic lasts forever in the environment. Although plastic bags break into smaller
and smaller pieces, they do not biodegrade.
This bill is a win-win for everyone. The retailers benefit from not having to buy plastic bags and
from an improved environmental image (which is tarnished when plastic bags with their logo/
name on them are continually found littered in the environment). Consumers benefit from
becoming more conscious of reusing and reducing. Plastic bags also rip easily and are a
nuisance accumulating in large numbers before being thrown away. Better alternatives to
IE ei.K.
li.-1<l Lualrurnnental_II(1/(011 (an//Ia III 11th (I 17 an all 2 a/ant 1701/p10/5/01(IIlIlat/0fl(al/I Ui 0 /1/ a<<a)enr?ss
and iola/ti0ns to marine debris flz,e/7i l/environmental edu(rtti0n,plastic reduction/liner prevention campaigns, and marine debris
,,,,mota anti research in 01(P1 h1 PrOW1 lnarinC l7/C,Sd!a bales and the areala/CDaslal e 1101 11171.
page I of 2
Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii
P.O. Po.t 25284 • Honolulu • fI<ru ti`i 9632:
(808) 93 2168 • tez !w.li--e-cr-c /r.rrr
plastic bags are available arid banning plastic bags will encourage people to use these alternatives
such as bringing their own resuable bag for shopping. Reusable bags are stronger (they don't
break like plastic bags do), they are easier to carry (they don't cut into your arm like a plastic hag
does), and they can be machine washed.
Using reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags is an easy step the community can make
towards helping the environment.
Please accept this as written testimony in support of an ordinance amending chapter 14 Hawaii
County Code by adding a new article relating to plastic bag reduction.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Frazer Dean Otsuki
President Vice-President
B.E.A.C.H. B.E.A.C.H.
IR.EA.
Environmental_1wareness Campaign Ilawa.i`i is an all volunteer nonprofit oroani.;:alion concrrrred with bringing au arenr_us
and coluiron., to marine debris through environmental education,plastic reduction/litter prcrrnt-ion campargm, and marine d ebris
1011oral arrd research in 00/1, to!noted marine G/e,sea birds and the ocean/coaital enzirournrnl.
page 2 of 2