HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.036 2016-2018 Murashige, Laura
From: Tina Yamaki <tyamaki@rmhawaii.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2017 8:11 PM COUNTY CLERK
To: Council Testimony • COUNTY OF HAWAI°I
Subject: Bill 13 DECEIVED
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Attachments: Blll 13 POLYSTYRENE FOAM CONTAINERS_2017 March
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Aloha!
Attached is the testimony of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii for the March 8th County Council Meeting. If you have any
questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
A Hui Hou Kakou!
Tina Yamaki
President• Retail Merchants of Hawaii
3610 Waialae Ave. • Honolulu, HI • 96816
T: (808) 592-4200 • C: (808) 554-8444
E: tyamaki cx rmhawaii.org •W: rmhawaii.org
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RETAIL.
MERCHANTS
OF HAWAII
TESTIMONY OF TINA YAMAKI
PRESIDENT
RETAIL MERCHANTS OF HAWAII
March 8, 2017
Re: BILL 13 AMENDS CHAPTER 20, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION, AS
AMENDED), BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE RELATING TO REDUCTION OF POLYSTYRENE
FOAM "STYROFOAM" FOOD CONTAINERS AND FOOD SERVICE WARE
Good morning Chair Poindexter members of the Hawaii County Council. I am Tina Yamaki, President of the
Retail Merchants of Hawaii and I appreciate this opportunity to testify.
The Retail Merchants of Hawaii (RMH) is a statewide not-for-profit trade organization representing 200
members and over 2,000 storefronts, and is committed to support the retail industry and business in general in
Hawaii. The retail industry is one of the largest employers in the state, employing 25% of the labor force.
The Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposes Bill 13 Amends Chapter 20, Of The Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005
Edition, As Amended), By Adding A New Article Relating To Reduction Of Polystyrene Foam " Styrofoam"
Food Containers And Food Service Ware. Retailers continue to be concerned about our aina and have
supported many initiatives that preserve and protect our environment.
We need to maintain a fair balance regarding food service containers. This government mandate would place
an undue burden on grocers, restaurants, mom & pop establishments, and others as their cost of business
would increase. In an effort to minimize the costs, retailers often purchase non-perishable goods in bulk. This
would include items like containers. Depending on their size of their operation and price break for bulk
purchase, these items could last them more than a year. We respectfully ask that more time be given to allow
retailers more time to use up the products that they have as well as finding an economical solution.
Alternative non-polystyrene containers are far more expensive than the current polystyrene ones being used.
In some cases the price can be 2 to 3 more. Many businesses are already operating on a very thin profit
margin. They look for cost effective'food containers that ensure that products are durable enough to protect
people from spills and burns as well as keep food fresh longer by sustaining appropriate temperature. The
market/customers should dictate the use of polystyrene containers. Businesses are already voluntarily
transitioning to non-polystyrene containers due to their customer demands.
It is also our understanding that currently some islands do not have the recycling facilities capable of receiving
alternative non polystyrene containers. We would like to also note that many biodegradable and compostable
alternative type food containers will NOT decompose faster than polystyrene in landfills.
Hawaii's retailers unquestionably support initiatives to preserve and protect our environment. The solution to
the polystyrene containers is not in a total ban, but in the wise management of this resource, i.e., the "reduce,
reuse and recycle" principle. The focus should be on litter control education and looking into establishing a
polystyrene recycling program on all islands.
Again mahalo for this opportunity to testify.
3610 Waialae Ave•Honolulu,HI 96816•(808)592-4200•tyamaki@rmhawaii.org