08-14-2008, 09:05 AM
Good thing they didn't ban my large plastic garbage bags!
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/arti...ocal06.txt
Plastic shopping bag ban advances
by Peter Sur
Tribune-Herald Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 14, 2008 10:23 AM HST
County plan may mean paper or reusable sacks
All Big Island businesses will be forbidden from providing plastic shopping bags, under penalty of a hefty fine, if a bill the County Council approved Wednesday passes into law.
The bill sailed through its first reading 7-0 at Wednesday's meeting. It requires one more affirmative vote two weeks from now before the council can send it over to the mayor for his signature or veto.
"Businesses are prohibited from providing plastic checkout bags to their customers at the point of sale beginning one year from the effective date of this ordinance," the bill states. "Businesses may instead provide only recyclable paper bags or reusable bags as checkout bags for their customers."
The bill says nonprofit organizations qualify as businesses; it would apply to everything from Wal-Mart to Hilo Farmers Market vendors.
Councilman Dominic Yagong, who is in the grocery store business, recused himself from the vote, and Councilman K. Angel Pilago was excused.
The bill further defines a recyclable paper bag as one that has no old growth fiber, is fully recyclable and has at least 40 percent recycled content.
The bill encourages making reusable or recyclable paper checkout bags available either for sale or without charge to customers.
"The only comment I really have on the bill is I'm primarily concerned if the bill passes, that there be some type of ... notification for merchants," Councilwoman Brenda Ford said. "My concern is that there are a lot of businesses that are not aware that it applies to them.
"They also aren't aware of the wording of what is a recyclable paper bag," Ford said.
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, director of the Department of Environmental Management, said some of the larger stores favor a ban on free bags.
Yagong, while not voting, expressed concern that the increased cost of the bill would be passed on to consumers.
"It's the consumers that keep holding the bag," Yagong said.
The bill provides for a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 200 hours of community service for each offense. Violators will be required to remove their plastic bags or will be liable for the cost of removing the bags, and each day of violation will constitute a separate offense.
Councilman Bob Jacobson told of how he spoke to a business owner in his district who said the bill would be harmful. Jacobson said that wasn't the case.
"I think the goal of this legislation is to change people's behavior more than anything else," Jacobson said.
Added Councilwoman Emily Naeole: "For the environment, I see it as a good thing."
E-mail Peter Sur at psur@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/arti...ocal06.txt
Plastic shopping bag ban advances
by Peter Sur
Tribune-Herald Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 14, 2008 10:23 AM HST
County plan may mean paper or reusable sacks
All Big Island businesses will be forbidden from providing plastic shopping bags, under penalty of a hefty fine, if a bill the County Council approved Wednesday passes into law.
The bill sailed through its first reading 7-0 at Wednesday's meeting. It requires one more affirmative vote two weeks from now before the council can send it over to the mayor for his signature or veto.
"Businesses are prohibited from providing plastic checkout bags to their customers at the point of sale beginning one year from the effective date of this ordinance," the bill states. "Businesses may instead provide only recyclable paper bags or reusable bags as checkout bags for their customers."
The bill says nonprofit organizations qualify as businesses; it would apply to everything from Wal-Mart to Hilo Farmers Market vendors.
Councilman Dominic Yagong, who is in the grocery store business, recused himself from the vote, and Councilman K. Angel Pilago was excused.
The bill further defines a recyclable paper bag as one that has no old growth fiber, is fully recyclable and has at least 40 percent recycled content.
The bill encourages making reusable or recyclable paper checkout bags available either for sale or without charge to customers.
"The only comment I really have on the bill is I'm primarily concerned if the bill passes, that there be some type of ... notification for merchants," Councilwoman Brenda Ford said. "My concern is that there are a lot of businesses that are not aware that it applies to them.
"They also aren't aware of the wording of what is a recyclable paper bag," Ford said.
Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, director of the Department of Environmental Management, said some of the larger stores favor a ban on free bags.
Yagong, while not voting, expressed concern that the increased cost of the bill would be passed on to consumers.
"It's the consumers that keep holding the bag," Yagong said.
The bill provides for a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 200 hours of community service for each offense. Violators will be required to remove their plastic bags or will be liable for the cost of removing the bags, and each day of violation will constitute a separate offense.
Councilman Bob Jacobson told of how he spoke to a business owner in his district who said the bill would be harmful. Jacobson said that wasn't the case.
"I think the goal of this legislation is to change people's behavior more than anything else," Jacobson said.
Added Councilwoman Emily Naeole: "For the environment, I see it as a good thing."
E-mail Peter Sur at psur@hawaiitribune-herald.com.