HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0664.147 2014-2016 CC1lJ ' i t} I. i i_ .it
Murashige, Laura rn!€ iT
From: Rachael Roehl <reroehl@hawaii.edu> 2016 JUN _.2 AN 8: '16
Sent: Wednesday,June 01, 2016 9:08 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support of Bill 140 Draft 2
To the chairperson, representatives and whomever it may concern,
As a student of Sustainability Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, I have spent a
significant amount of time researching the detrimental impacts of consumer products such as
polystyrene. Following careful consideration, please consider my strong support of a swift introduction
of the bill 140 Draft 2, to ban the sale of expanded polysterene (styrofoam).
This bill holds significant relevance to my life, as an activist and dedicated beach cleanup
volunteer with Sustainable Coastlines Hawai'i and Surfrider Foundation O'ahu I experience first hand
what kind of plastic pollution impacts our oceans on O'ahu and outer islands. Both of these nonprofits
work tirelessly to clean the coastlines of our islands from marine debris. In my own experience, I have
removed countless amounts of polystyrene from streams, beaches and the ocean. Aside from the
unfortunate presence of Styrofoam in our aquatic and near shore ecosystems, it has toxic
implications for our marine species and communities. Polystyrene foam, as a post consumer plastic is
not recyclable, and once in the environment acts as a vector for transporting persistent, bio-
accumulating and toxic substances. Because polystyrene is consumed by marine species, these
toxins are present in the fish we eat. It is my belief that producer responsibility should uphold both
human and environmental health above the sale of cheap materials such as polystyrene.
The food and tourism industry our islands are economically dependent on is the primary target
of this legislation. Opposing parties may contest that it is costly and difficult to change these
practices, but it seems only ethical that the same industry should hold the health and beauty of our
islands above anything else as they draw millions of tourists each year. As our beaches anGd
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waterways become compromised with our ever-growing population and visitors, it is necessary to
promote sustainability in our practices, including the materials we use, to ensure the enjoyment of our
land for future generations.
Thanks & Aloha,
Rachael Roehl
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