HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0301.009 2018-2020 P/AWS614C
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RETAIL
rmh MERCHANTS
UE HAWAII
TESTIMONY OF TINA YAMAKI
PRESIDENT
RETAIL MERCHANTS OF HAWAII
June 3, 2019
Re: Bill 74 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 20, Article 6,
of the Hawai' i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as Amended),
Relating to Polystyrene Foam Food Container and Food Service Ware Reduction-
Good afternoon Chairperson Dr. Herbert"Tim" Richards III and members of the Hawaii Count Coun ..
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Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Environmental Management. I am Tina Yamaki, President of the Retail
Merchants of Hawaii and I appreciate this opportunity to testify.
The Retail Merchants of Hawaii (RMH) as founded in 1901 and is a statewide, not for profit trade organization
committed to the growth and development of the retail industry in Hawaii. The retail industry is one of the
largest employers in the state, employing 25% of the labor force.
The Retail Merchants of Hawaii supports the intent of this measure. Retailers continue to be concerned about
our aina and have supported many initiatives that preserve and protect our environment. This measure clarifies
the questions and assumptions that our retail members have that surrounds a ban on Polystyrene.
We would like to request a small edit under Section 2 to have a more transparent definition of recyclables to
include "can be" instead of"is" when defining recyclables:
Recyclables" means material that has reached the end of its current use and can be
processed into material utilized in the production of new products".
We would also like to point out that a mere substitution of polystyrene type containers to another type will NOT
result in reduced trash as more than likely the substitution product would be discarded in the same manner as
the polystyrene. We need to also be looking into a comprehensive litter reduction program that includes
government and the community that not only takes into account educating the public, but also looking for
alternative solutions like public trash cans that are designed so that it will keep its content from flying out.
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify.
Comm. No.
Ref. To: p �1 M(/
Ref, Dat _
3610 Waialae Ave.Honolulu, HI 96816 (808)592-4200 tyamaki@rmhawaii.org