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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0664.119 2014-2016 FROM : FAX NO. : Jul. 45 19160 12:04PM P1 Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai'i P.0.Box 25284 • Honolulu • Hawai`i • 96825 (808)393 2168 , DATE: 2nd June,2016 c TO: Council Chair Dru Mamo Kanuha,Vice-Chair Valerie Poindexter and Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: Suzanne Frazer,President,Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii _ RE: TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF BILL 140 Draft 2 Relating to reduction of polystyrene foam"styrofoam"flood containers and food service ware. - Council meeting on Friday 3rd June,2016 at 9AM in Hilo. Aloha Chair Kanuha,Vice-Chair Poindexter and Members of the Council, I am writing on behalf of Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii(B.E.A.C.H.)in strong support of Bill 140 which will ban all polystyrene food and drink containers including plates,cups,bowls, trays,carton and clamshell containers from being used for prepared food. In draft 2 we support the addition of the requirement for an education program for businesses,non-profits and the general public regarding compostable alternatives to polystyrene foam containers. This is important to ensuring that Bill 140 is effectively implemented. In the original version of Bill 140 we were glad to see that it would also ban the sale of polystyrene food containers and service ware including plates,bowls,cups,lids,straws,stirrers,forks,knives,spoons,trays and other items primarily designed for use in consuming food. Not allowing these items to be sold or provided in Hawai'i County would mean this ban will be complete and effective and we would like to see this part added back in. All of these food service items are in the top 10 most littered plastic items on beaches. Banning the use of these items will help greatly to reduce plastic on beaches and in the ocean. Polystyrene or number 6 plastic,is one of the three most harmful plastics in terms of chemicals. Number 6 plastic is rarely recycled and once it is contaminated with food and drinks it is not recyclable. Polysty- rene is made from petroleum and contains benzene which is carcinogenic. Polystyrene leaches styrene, a chemical that is toxic to the brain and nervous system and has been found to adversely affect red blood cells,liver,kidney, stomach and cause cancer in animal studies.Styrene is released especially when the container or cup is subjected to heat,so polystyrene foam containers and cups are a very bad choice for hot food and drinks. Oily and acidic foods and drinks also facilitate the migration of styrene from the container into the food/drink. Polystyrene food containers have also been shown to have estrogenic activity(EA). Chemicals that cause Ca9111111.- NO: IP 0144 I Ref. To: 6010 Ref. Date_ 0 3 2016 FROM : FAX NO. : Jul. 45 19160 12:04PM P2 EA are those that act like a synthetic form of estrogen or block the action of naturally occuring estrogen in the body and cause endocrine disruption. In humans,chemicals having EA can cause prostrate and breast cancer and many reproductive health problems. Unborn children,babies and young children are especially sensitive to low doses of chemicals having EA. In the polystyrene plastics industry,workers have been found to have higher incidences of cancer including leukemia and suffer from many adverse health effects from the inhalation of styrene. Styrene causes neurotoxicity and therefore affects people's nervous system and also impaires the immune system. Polystyrene containers are also harmful to the environment. Plastic does not biodegrade. It does not have a timeline for disappearing. Plastic lasts forever. When plastic gets into the ocean it accumulates additional poisons such as dioxins,DDT,DDE and other persistant organic pollutants(POPs). Polysty- rene foam has been found inside of sea birds and fish. The ingestion of plastic not only causes blockages and starvation,but the animals and birds are harmed through the uptake of toxic chemicals such as styrene which leaches from the ingested plastic and accumulates in the fatty tissues of the animal. These chemicals are then passed through the food chain. Styrene is also found in the fatty tissues of humans. In a 1982 study by the EPA(the National Human Adipose Tissue Survey), 100%of Americans studied had styrene in their fatty tissues. We need to do everything we can to reduce plastic on beaches and in the ocean in order to save marine life as polystyrene foam cups,containers and pieces of foam can and do wash into the ocean which is why these containers need to be banned. Polystyrene foam is lightweight,easily breaks into pieces and is wind blown. Picking up small,broken pieces of polystyrene foam in wind at the beach is difficult. This is not just a litter issue,as properly disposed of polystyrene foam containers still can and do blow out of rubbish trucks,trash bins and get into the environment through a variety of ways that are not due to littering. Therefore banning this product is the only way to reduce it and prevent it getting into the ocean and harming marine life. There are good alternatives to polystyrene food and drink containers available that are made from sugar cane and other vegetable fibres that do not contain benzene,styrene or petroleum and other alternatives made from paper/cardboard,wax paper or foil.Our organization also recommends that people bring their own containers made of glass,stainless steel or ceramic for food and drinks. Your leadership is needed to help protect the people of Hawaii County,visitors,marine life,the food chain and the environment from the harmful effects of polystyrene. Please lead the way for the rest of Hawaii by passing this bill and being the first county in Hawaii to take the responsible action of banning disposable polystyrene food and drink service containers! Thank you! Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill. Sincerely, Suzanne F zer. 15.Eits.t f, Beach.Environmental Awareness Campaign Hma ui`i is an all volunteer,nonlnofil organization that brings awareness and solutions to marine debris through enuironnnentel education,plastic redration/litterpievention campaign and marine debris removal and research in order to protect marinelift sea birds and the ocean/coastal environment