HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0664.071 2014-2016 p1
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From: John Elkjer <john@sustainableislandproducts.comr,LLff11 1 '°l `( _. ptvi 10: 23
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2016 6:48 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 140
My Name is John Elkjer, I am one of the owners of Sustainable .Island Products. We are a Hilo based company
doing business across the Hawaiian Islands. We distribute compostable packaging for the food service industry.
Being a business person, I understand the need for solutions rather than problems. We all have thing we need to
solve and that is why I have always instructed my co workers to not only bring me the problem but to also bring
me solutions.
Here are a few:
Option A,
Ban Polystyrene as bill 140 has stated. Vote Yes. Easy to say yes, and I believe it's a strong step in the correct
direction.
Option B,
Go all in,Not only approve 140 but expand bans to any plastics that is not cost effectively recyclable. Instill pay
as you throw policies. Pick up organics to feed a thriving composting facility(s). Sell the compost, sell the
profitable recycling items and create revenues to attempt to fund all of the solid waste department costs. Make it
self sustaining.
The city of San Francisco has effectively done this. Over time they have reduced their solid waste volume by
80%. An 80% reduction on the island of Hawaii would reduce costs to less than 10 million dollars a year.
Today, the Hawaii county costs are budgeted at 45 million and rising. A 35 million dollar per year savings. It
will take hard work and dedication by everyone to get there but the payoff is well worth it.
Option C,
Feebates,
This has been been around for a long time. This began in Germany and has been very effective. The process is
this, harmful products sold are charged a fee to the company or manufacturer selling them. This fee is based
upon its life cycle cost, cost to dispose of, and costs that the,taxpayer must pay to deal with its afterlife. As an
example, plastics take 200 years or so before dissolve. I say dissolve because this is to a point where they are
not seen by the naked eye.The micro portions of plastic will still be present which generates additional issues.
The fees that are charged rise over time which allows those who have difficulties with change, to adjust to the
"better for all" products. These fees are forwarded on to those who use the "better for all" products as a rebate,
reducing their cost, and providing incentive to those using harmful items to switch to the" better for all"
products.
Option D,
Add an industry education component in conjunction with approval of bill 140.
Early on in the compostable products industry there were some products that did not perform well. In fact, there
are some of those products around today. That is why as a company, all of our products must be certified, as
well as tested by us for performance characteristics. Today, I can confidently say that there are compostable
packaging solutions that perform for all industries, If you purchased any meats,produce or prepared foods at
many of the largest grocers on the mainland you will find products which perform very well. The food service
industry is flooded with strong companies which have a multitude of items in a number of pricing structures. As
sales volumes have increased over the years, costs have come down. This trend should continue. Another
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example is If you purchase a Dell computer, what was once in a foam package is now in compostable formed
packaging. Many of the global leaders in business demand compostable products as well as strong
environmental, social and economic practices by their vendors. If we could have the opportunity to educate
local companies and find solutions. I am confident these companies will see a brighter future for themselves as
well as the community. This will not only help in the short term marketing of Island businesses; It can and will
drive businesses to locate here,be solid employers, pay taxes and purchase local goods and services. It can help
build a stronger economy for Hawaii.
Today's world is upon us, tomorrow is our responsibility. The solutions are there for all of us if we look for
them. These are just a few, and there are many more. We trust in you to find these solutions and lead us. I ask
you to vote yes to bill 140 today. If you are unsure,please do not allow the momentum of this bill to to die.
Look for the solution, ask more questions, listen and learn. That is how leaders, lead.
Thanks for reading this, I do appreciate it very much.
John
John Elkjer
Owner
Sustainable Island Products
831 Leilani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone 808 769 4905
Mobile 808 769 1966
Fax 808 769 4910
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