HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0664.003 2014-2016 Pi e m0
COMM. 064)
Murashige, Laura
From: Baez, Wendy
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 1:08 PM
To: Murashige, Laura
Subject: Testimony re Bill 140 - Brought into Kona - 14 Copies - Please distribute to Hilo Council
Members
Attachments: Testimony re Bill 140.pdf
COUNTY CLERK
Laura, COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
RECEIVED
Here it is. Time /.'lo Pill By
Date 4//6//&
Wendy P.Baez,Legislative Assistant
Office of Council Member Karen Eoff
Council District 8,North Kona
West Hawai`i Civic Center,Building"A"
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
Kailua-Kona,Hawai`i 96740
808/323-4279 wendy.baez@hawaiicounty.gov
...Nothing is so Strong as Gentleness, and Nothing is so Gentle as Real Strength...
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Ref. To: EM
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Sarah K. Rafferty
Testimony in Support of Bill 140 before the County Council
Tuesday February 16th, 2016
Members of the Council,
I am here today to testify on behalf of the more than four thousand individuals who have signed
the petition I began in October of 2015 urging a county-wide ban on single-use expanded
polystyrene containers.
As you know, Hawaii island is home to countless endemic species,breathtaking waterfalls,
active volcanoes, and miles of world-class coral reef,making it one of the most unique places on
planet earth. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and more than 150,000 people
call this place home. It is worth protecting; it is worth keeping clean.
In 2010 the Department of Environmental Management implemented the Zero Waste plan for
Hawaii County,with the mission of reducing human's environmental impact on this precious
island ecosystem. In line with the Zero Waste Plan, Hawaii County gained national attention in
January of 2015 when it passed Bill 17, an ordinance banning the disbursement of single-use
plastic bags at checkout counters island-wide. This ordinance was undoubtedly a step in the right
direction on the path to a cleaner Hawaii.
It is imperative that we continue the progression on this path, and we cannot do so without
considering the effects of expanded polystyrene products on our forests, mountains, and beaches.
EPS breaks up quite easily, increasing the probability for accidental ingestion by birds and
marine life when it is improperly disposed of. Consider that even when EPS products are
properly disposed of they do not biodegrade and they are currently not accepted as recyclable
items. They are purely and simply waste.
In his signing of Bill 17, the Hawaii County Plastic Bag Ordinance,Mayor Kenoi stated that
"We are responsible for the decisions we make today for a better tomorrow... we all must be
mindful of the responsibilities we have as trustees of the land to do everything we can to protect
our island home."
We cannot effectively say that we are making responsible decisions for a better tomorrow while
simultaneously piling non-composting polystyrene containers into our landfills. We cannot
honestly claim to be on the path to "Zero Waste"without utilizing the eco-friendly alternatives
on the market. We, the undersigned, ask that the Council act in accordance with the Zero Waste
Plan; we support bill 140 and a reduction on single-use EPS containers.
Thank you for your time,
Sarah K. Rafferty
POBox 4513
Kailua Kona, HI
sarahrafferty@gmail.com
For the online petition,visit facebook.com/foamfreehawaii