HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.197 2016-2018 support for Bill 13, draft 4,to reduce polystyrene
for Hawai'i County Council, 9 AM Wednesday, September 20, 2017, Kona chambers
from Gory Harden, Sierra Club, Moku Loa group -74
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We'd like to address objections to this bill.
Joy GoldrepresentingenO'mhufoornYoodoontoinersaidthonaionofac)|i�y�ohond| c� cp�‹
manufacturer, -
compostable containers. But maybe those containers could be used for backyard composting, or z= r--
recycled.And no matter where they end up,they won't leach out toxins like polystyrene. --
Dante Corpenter, a consultant for Pacific Waste, said polystyrene would provide feedstock for the ��
BioEnargy waste-to-energy plant Pacific Waste is planning for Waikoloa. But the Solid Waste Advisory
Committee decided unanimously against incineration for our island. As State Senator Russell Ruderman
put it, "I don't think you have any obligations to accommodate their desire to burn the most toxic possible
pnoduct."*
We were glad to hear CounCilmember Aaron Chung say he would vote for a total ban on all forms of
polystyrene. But he won't vote for Bill 13 because he feels it unfairly singles out food vendors. So let's
start with Bill 13,then follow up with a total ban.
Mr. Chung also felt food vendors were being blamed for littering. He said we need education about
littering, and we agree. But even if litter goes in the right place, it's a lot better if it's not toxic.
Councilmember Sue Lee Loy was also concerned about fairness, and about legislating personal choices.
But choosing polystyrene isn't about the choice of one person eating one plate lunch. Polystyrene
remains in the environment long after the plate lunch is gone, affecting the future choices of people,
animals, and plants.
Ms. Lee Loy prefers incentives to "sticks". But we already have incentives--foam-free food vendors are
getting free publicity from the foam-free online list, and through media coverage of this bill.
Imagine a world with no pollution—no dirty smokestacks, no oil spills, no ocean garbage patches, no sick
people finding out too late that they were exposed to hazardous chemicals. Bill 13 is a small step towards
that world.
*Pacific Waste Director TestifieoAQeinst Styrofoam B0 13, Big Island Video News, 9-8-17,
httpl/www.biaislandvideonews.corn720/7/09108Mdeo-paoific-waste-teotifiea-againot-mtyrofoem-bill-131
Comm. No. 1
Ref. Ta:_la
Ref. Date SEP 0 7 2017