HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.099 2016-2018 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAI°I
RECEIVED
Murashige, Laura T;mP
Dat
From: Doug Perrine <perrine@hawaii.rr.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 3:31.PM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Kanuha, Dru; Chung,Aaron; David, Maile; Eoff, Karen; Lee Loy, Sue; Ohara, Eileen;
Ruggles,Jennifer; Richards,Tim; Poindexter,Valerie
Subject: Bill 13
Dear Hawaii County Council Members:
Thank you for considering Bill 13. As a frequent ocean user I often encounter polystyrene containers and
packaging floating in the ocean both inshore and offshore. Sightings are so regular that these white floaters are
referred to as "Hawaiian icebergs" by boaters. I am painfully aware that these common items quickly break into
small pieces that are ingested by fish and other sea creatures, releasing toxins into their bodies and into the
marine environment. These fish later end up on my dinner plate so that I may recycle the toxins from their
bodies into mine.
There are a few local establishments that serve both hot and cold food in non-toxic compostable containers. I
find no problems with using these, and happily add them to my compost after use, so that they actually improve
my soil and the growth of my fruit, and end up back on my plate, but without any toxins to poison me.
Sadly, most local establishments use the polystyrene food containers, which end up along the sides of our
roadways, as well as in the ocean and the landfill. These merchants would have you believe that by banning
such containers you are taking away the consumer's choice. This is not true. There is no choice at present.
Every merchant offers only one type of container, and usually it is polystyrene. My choice would be to have all
my food in compostable containers,but my choice can only be achieved if the council passes bill 13. Merchants
and manufacturers also point out that the cost of the container could increase by over 100% if they are forced to
switch from polystyrene to compostable. That's true, but when the cost of the container is a fraction of a cent,
you are talking about a price increase of at the very most a few cents. What consumer would not pay 3 cents to
have his food in a container that is not going to poison him and damage our island environment? That
polystyrene container probably adds more than 3 cents to our costs for cleanup of roadways and landfill
maintenance. I'm sure it costs me well more than that in fuel every time I have to'change course on my boat,
stop to pick up a floating container from the ocean, and power back up to speed again.
Remember when the plastic bag ban was proposed, and merchants predicted doom if it was passed? What
happened? Did anybody go out of business? Is anyone experiencing any hardship? They also predicted
disastrous consequences if a redemption fee was added to the cost of beverage containers. Actual problems?
None. Each of these small steps improves the beauty of our environment, our economy, and our health and
well-being. Let's continue to malama aina and send one more type of problematic trash to the dust bin of
history.
mahalo,
Doug Perrine
Doug Perrine
76-223 Haoa St.
Kailua-Kona HI 96740 U.S.A.
+1 (808) 329-4523
awn% No (oi.qc
1
Ref. To: CO
Ref. Date Y i ' hJ ;.
20f