HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0301.008 2018-2020 Aft
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1019 MAY 1 AN 156 02
May 30, 2019
To: The Honorable Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Chair
Members, Hawaii County Committee on Agriculture,Water, Energy and Environmental Management
From: Tim Shestek
Senior Director,State Affairs
RE: Bill 74—SUPPORT
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is writing in support of Bill 74,which seeks to amend Bill 13 that was passed by
the Council in 2016.
While ACC opposed Bill 13,which banned food vendors from providing food to customers in polystyrene food service
containers,we think the proposed changes are necessary to protect local businesses and consumers from drastic
economic loss. Without amendments to the original language contained in Bill 13, all plastic food service packaging
could essentially face a de-facto ban with irreparable consequences to local businesses and consumers including
increased costs and potential packaging shortages.
ACC supports the testimony of the Hawaii Food Industry Association as it relates to the definition of"recyclable". This
proposed change will help avoid any additional confusion about the application of the bill and is more in line with the
commonly accepted definition of recyclable.
""Recyclables" means material that has reached the end of its current use and is may be processed into material
utilized in the production of new products."
The unintended consequences of the underlying ban on polystyrene food service containers highlight the concerns
we've raised in the past to the Council. Bans lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses and simply result in litter
substitution, not elimination. Bans fail to address the underlying problem of waste in our environment as litter and
improper waste management are independent of material type. We would encourage Hawaii County to focus on
identifying comprehensive waste management solutions instead of product bans.
Thank you in advance for considering our views. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 916-
448-2581 or via email at Tim Shestek@americanchemistry.com. You may also contact ACC's Hawaii based
representative Ross Yamasaki at 808-531-4551.
Comm. No. •y
Ref. To:—i (/
Ref. Date MAY 31 ZUIJ
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