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T OF HAWAII
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Testimony in Support of BILL No. 13—Draft 3 (as amended):
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 1,2019.
On behalf of the membership,staff and Board of Directors of Recycle Hawaii 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 in
mind.
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,with exemptions as stated
within the revised Bill.
Over the past eight years Recycle Hawaii has been recognizing positive "green projects"that are
being implemented in communities by businesses,schools and organizations throughout Hawai'i
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/biodegradable/recyclable food service ware that breaks down in compost piles
and landfills–a move that all major fast food environmentally conscious organizations have
already made due to public demand. For a listing of those Hawaii island food service
establishments that have been awarded the "Keeping It Green" certificate since 201.0, 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:
PAUL J. BUKLAREWICZ, Executive Director - Recycle Hawai'i — 969-2012
Info@recyclehawaii.org
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