HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0854.002 2014-2016 Murashige, Laura
From: Melissa Takaaze <m.takaaze@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2016 1:18 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony for Bill 204 (EMC 04/03/16)
Attachments: Bi11204_HFIA_Polystyrene Education Program_Comment_04-03-16.pdf
Hello—
Attached is HFIA's testimony in opposition to Bill 204. — n
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me by email or phone. :Y
Thanks,
Melissa Takaaze
Hawaii Food Industry Association
(808)554-2798
Comm. No. '8'94'
Ref. To: V IOW
Ref. Date.MAY 0 3 21116
1
Fill I Executive Officers:
Derek Kurisu,KTA Superstores -Chairperson
John Erickson,Young's Market Company—Vice Chair
Bob Stout,Times Supermarkets—Secretary/Treasurer
�
Lauren Zirbel,Executive Director
#l1�k HAWAII FOOD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
1050 Bishop St. PMB 235
Honolulu,HI 96813
Fax:808-791-0702
Telephone:808-533-1292
www.hawaiifood.com
TO: HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL—ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
FROM: HAWAII FOOD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
Lauren Zirbel, Executive Director
DATE:April 3, 2016
TIME:3 p.m.
PLACE:West Hawaii Civic Center, Kailua, Kona
RE: Bill 204
Position:Comments with suggested amendments
The Hawaii Food Industry Association is comprised of two hundred member companies
representing retailers,suppliers,producers,and distributors of food and beverage related
products in the State of Hawaii.
While HFIA understands the intent of this bill,we have concerns.The bill's purpose is to "reduce
the amount of non-degradable and non-recyclable waste that enters the waste stream" because
current disposal "either takes up valuable space in our landfills or ends up as litter."
The bill's goal of reducing solid waste and litter through a public education program is
commendable; however,specifically targeting polystyrene and promoting alternative packaging
is not the solution to these issues.
Switching to alternative packaging will not reduce solid waste and litter; instead, it will simply
shuffle the composition of materials entering the landfill. In order to biodegrade,alternative
products require an industrial composting facility, of which there are none in the entire state of
Hawaii.
But won't they biodegrade in the landfill?
No. Contrary to popular belief,alternative containers (e.g.,compostable and biodegradable)do
not break down in landfills. Landfills are designed to protect the environment from the liquids
and gases produced by reducing the exposure of garbage to air,water and sunlight—conditions
essential for degradation.As a result,alternative packaging with the terms"biodegradable"
and "compostable"will go to the landfill and stay in the landfill.
Litter extends far beyond just polystyrene foam packaging; it includes soda bottles,snack food
bags, plastic coated paper cups. Most of the trash debris seen on beaches is the result of
haphazard disposal of waste from all over the world and on the seas,which are brought here by
currents. Rather than arbitrarily banning or socially stigmatizing these items,the council
should instead focus on addressing waste management and disposal,the actual issues at
hand.
The bill, as currently written,does not remedy the problems of solid waste and litter. In order to
fully address the bill's underlying goals,we recommend revising the scope of the proposed
education program to encourage litter prevention and the responsible disposal of food service
materials.
As such,we urge the committee to support the following amendments:
1(8) Establish an education program for businesses, nonprofit
organizations, and the general public on encouraging litter prevention and
responsible disposal of foodservice materials. Since all foodservice materials
can potentially become litter, and all foodservice materials including
biodegradable options have environmental impacts if they do become litter, it is
important for all businesses and residents to understand the importance of
preventing trash from escaping into the environment. Such a program may
include distribution of placards,stickers and other promotional materials to
promote an anti-litter message.
2(D) An estimate of the number of biodegradable containers sold and
deposited into county landfills in the previous year
2(E) A listing of foodservice establishments and businesses that have
committed to promoting the litter campaign during the previous calendar year
Establishing a public education program focused on litter prevention and proper waste disposal
is an effective and responsible way to address the bill's goals.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony.