HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.030 2016-2018 P!Lou ie_ft._.
COUNTY CLERK U Ut . I (D/
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
Murashige, Laura RECEIVED ,�.
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From: Karen Rosen <kohalacoffeemill@gmail.com>
Date �� /7
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2017 11:31 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Richards,Tim; Kanuha, Dru; Chung,Aaron; David, Maile; Eoff, Karen; Lee Loy, Sue;Ohara,
Eileen; Ruggles,Jennifer; Poindexter,Valerie; COH Mayor;Toguchi, Marcie
Subject: Testimony in support of Bill 13
I have listened closely to concerns from councilman Richards and others regarding Bill 13 and
the efforts to ban the use of polystyrene foam. Below are some of my thoughts as a long term
resident of Hawaii Island and restaurant owner.
While this bill is not perfect and will not totally limit polystyrene foam, often mis named as
"Styrofoam" on Hawaii Island, I believe that the 'not a big impact' viewpoint is not a good
reason to hold up the passing of this bill.
From my point of view, I see a big impact in removing food containers and retail packaging,
and I cannot find any unintended consequences from this action in a number of municipalities
around the nation. I also understand that polystyrene foam in packaging coming into our island
from outside will not be dealt with in this bill since the County has little or no jurisdiction to
deal with this. But I do not believe this lack of jurisdiction in polystyrene foam should block or
delay doing what we can to remove polystyrene foam in food containers and retail packaging. If
we all agree that reducing polystyrene foam is important, then how can we notagree that Bill 13
is a good step forward in the right direction? Granted, it's not the final step, but it is a big step
for the Big Island's environment.
One of the arguments in the past against the band of polystyrene foam has been cost. It is
definitely a concern for people in the industry. As a restaurant owner, I speak from experience
that the cost of compostable "to-go-ware" is greater than using polystyrene foam products.
However, it is pennies, the exact amount of the increase in the cost of these products varies by
size and style. Usually the difference in the cost is less than a nickel, it could be as much as a
quarter in some cases. Most of my customers, from all walks of life are comfortable and
thankful that I choose to use compostable products. No one likes to increase their costs for
serving their products. Sometimes it is these pennies that are the only profit to be made.
Passing this cost on to the consumer, by raising prices less than $ .25 may be the solution.
When we consider the longer term and hidden "costs" in Styrofoam from manufacturing, to
disposal, to the potential effects on our bodies and the environment, the near term increase from
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using other types of packaging diminish. I agree that while it is a concern, it needs to not be the
driver for making this decision.
This bill has issues, I don't have a problem with working to fix those issues in committee as
long as this isn't used to prolong the approval of the bill and the current planned start date, kill
the bill or shelve it indefinitely. Separating the banning of polystyrene foam from the
composting facility makes sense, especially since the current composting facility is no longer
moving forward. While solid waste management is a big issue and concern for our island, I
don't see any reason to wait on banning polystyrene foam until we solve this entire situation.
I also would like to be sure there are no loopholes which would allow the county government
to potentially exempt itself from this ban.
Also, apparently, there appears to be some procedural concerns in passing this bill. There is a
process in place that does not appear to have been followed. Simple enough to correct if we take
care of it now.
Thank you for your consideration,
Karen Rosen Kohala
Coffee Mill 808-896-3429
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