HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.206 2016-2018 GOON' TY OF. HAWAII
From: milholen.jennifer(@amail.com on behalf of,lennifer Milholen
To: Council Testimony ji
Subject: SUPPORT Bill 13,hearing 9/7,9:00am 2 F7 SEP "5 PM is -I I
Date: Tuesday,September 05,2017 12:23:26 PM
Attachments: RAP testimony for Bill 13 2017 Hawaii Island foam restriction.pdf
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Aloha, Council members. I am thrilled that this council is hearing Bill 13, and for the
continued support and consideration. I am a resident of Oahu, but want to record my support. I
am attaching a prepared statement from myself, on behalf of Styrophobia and the Rise Above
Plastics Coalition.
Mahalo!
Jennifer Milholen
President
Styrophobia
Cann No. I"' 20
Ref. To: WU,
Ref. Date SEP 0 7 2017
September 7,2017
To:Hawaii County Council
From:Styrophobia and the Rise Above Plastics Coalition
Re:Support for Bill 13-Restricting EPS foam
Date of Hearing:September 7,2017,9:00am Hilo Council Chambers
Aloha,Council Members,
My name is Jennifer Milholen,President of Styrophobia.I am writing in support of Bill 71 (2017)on behalf of the Rise Above Plastics Coalition
(RAP),a diverse contingent of Hawaii non-profits dedicated to the reduction and elimination of plastic pollution on our islands.These include:
Surfrider Foundation Hawaii,Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii,Sierra Club of Hawaii,Styrophobia,Kokua Hawaii Foundation,and the
Conservation Council for Hawaii.
As this is a familiar topic for the Council,I will not spend the bulk of this statement discussing the known catastrophic impacts of plastic
pollution on our marine systems;that millions of organisms choke on and starve to death from ingesting plastics,that we are on track to have
more plastic in the oceans than fish by 2050,that Hawaii's waterways are brimming with foam and an embarrassment to a place chiefly
dependent on tourism.I would like to use this time to focus on the stated objections from those that would oppose efforts to reduce EPS foam
distribution on Hawaii.
1)MYTH"Compostable alternatives cost too much."
REALITY:Compostable alternatives,available in every conceivable shape and size,have been doubling and tripling their market share in
Hawaii for years.In that time,prices have come down drastically and the quality is high and market-tested.In many instances the compostable
option is the cheapest,but when it is not,it can be found at$0.04-$0.08 more per unit;an increase that can be easily spread out across a menu or
willingly absorbed by consumers as a means to reduce plastic pollution.
2)MYTH"No business can be successful if they are not allowed to use EPS foam."
REALITY:In little more than a year,the Surfrider Ocean Friendly Restaurants program has certified more than 150 Hawaii restaurants as
FOAM FREE.These businesses range from small mom and pops,to huge market players like Kona Brewing Company.These businesses are
not only surviving foam free,but their businesses are thriving.
3)MYTH"EPS foam isn't the enemy,it's litter and human behavior."
REALITY:There is no one that would argue against the need to continue litter education.But,to solely focus on litter is to bury our heads in the
sand and ignore that our waste collection systems and behaviors are inadequate to handle a product like EPS foam.EPS is,by design,90%air
and easily escapes collection,choking storm drains then fracturing quickly into toxic soup.Ideally,all foam would be collected and disposed of
with no escape or littering,but that is not the reality we live in,and it is time to take action to address that.The only definite way to ensure that
foam no longer pollutes Hawaii,is to restrict its distribution.
4)MYTH"EPS foam is created locally.To restrict it would economically harm Hawaii."
REALITY:There is one local manufacturer of EPS foam,and they have stated that only 7 of their 42 employees(as of 2016)are directly
involved in foam manufacturing.This business already makes compostable products,so would not have to shutter their doors with the passing of
this bill,merely adjust like any business should when confronted with changing markets.
A 2016 HI Dept.of Transportation study found that plastic bags and foam containers were the top two items clogging storm drains,resulting in
flooding and increased cleanup costs for the State and Counties.A legal restriction on foam would result in an 8%reduction in those materials
and the associated costs.A drastic reduction in EPS foam containers is estimated to save the County millions.
This coalition would like to request an amendment to the proposed bill.The definition of"compostable"should include reference to the
internationally recognized standards of ASTM D6400 and D6868 in order to be considered"certified compostable."These standards ensure that
the term"compostable"is not misappropriated and that products are indeed toxin,plastic-free,and break down in a standardized period of time.
With the recent passing of a EPS foam restriction in Maui,and both this council and Honolulu City&County considering foam restrictions this
week,I hope the Council recognizes the overwhelming support for foam restrictions,and that the time is right to take action.
Thank you for your time and,on behalf of the Rise Above Plastics Coalition,I thank you for giving this issue its due reflection and taking
positive action to move this bill forward.
Jennifer Milholen
Styrophobia
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