HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.085 2016-2018 Murashige, Laura
From: Paul J. Buklarewicz, Executive Director <pjb01@hawaii.rr.com>
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 3:56 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: In Support of Bill 13
Attachments: Testimony in Support of Bill 13 - 02-17-2017.doc COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HA6�1AI'
RECEI ED
See attached. Date
Paul J. Buklarewicz, Executive Director
RECYCLE HAWAII
808-969-2012; Fax 808-969-2014
Cell: 808-895-0315
www.recyclehawaii.org
e-mail: ExecDir@recyclehawaii.org
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CELEBRATING 29 YEARS
Testimony in Support of BILL No. 13—
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 Prohibits food vendors from
dispensing prepared food in disposable polystyrene food service ware effective July 1, 2018.
Exempts ice chest and coolers, County facility users and food vendors with approval by the
Environmental Management Director, and County facility users and food vendors procuring
supplies during an event declared as an emergency by the Mayor.
On behalf of the membership,staff and Board of Directors of Recycle Hawai'i a 501(c ) 3 non-profit
community education organization whose mission is to promote resource awareness and
recycling enterprises in Hawaii, I submit this testimony in support of Bill 13 in keeping with the
County's stated Zero Waste goals and Integrated Resources/Solid Waste Management Plan.
Just as communities across the globe, including the County of Hawaii, have mobilized to reduce
the use of petroleum-based by-product plastic bags,sound environmental resource management
also requires the reduction of the use of polystyrene food service ware as a bad habit that needs
to be broken.
Over the past seven years Recycle Hawaii has been recognizing positive "green projects"that I
are being implemented in communities by businesses,schools and organizations
throughout Hawaii via its "Keeping It Green" certificate program. One of the criteria for food
service establishments, schools and organizations that plan "Zero Waste" community events is to
commit to the adoption of compostable/recyclable food service ware that breaks down in compost
piles and landfills–a move that all major fast food environmentally conscious organiz-ations have
already made. For a listing of those Hawai'i island food service establishments that have been
awarded the"Keeping It Green" certificate since 2010, go to www.recyclehawaii.org.
This Bill will not only serve to protect the land and marine environment, but also put a dent in the
unsightly blight of polystyrene food containers often seen littering the island's roadways and
coastal areas.
The effect of the bill's passage will also provide cost savings to food service businesses as the
cost of compostable food service ware in comparison to polystyrene products will decline as
more businesses switch to the more environmentally friendly materials.
Respectfully submitted:
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PAUL J. BUKLAREWICZ, Executive Director - Recycle Hawaii — 969-2012
Info@recyclehawaii.org