Council to Decide on Plastic Bags for Big Island

[Kelena]

Dirk,

Most laws are not written by lawyers, that is, "law writers". The legislature is populated by people who simply cannot write.

Keep your beer in a net bag! A beer looks sexier in a nice mesh bag.

[oink]

Glen,
With either usage, positive or negative, I do believe you stretch the definition in your usage ot it.

My Bad, for continuing the hijack

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[Rob Tucker]

Interesting hijack guys. It's always fun to have something to disagree about I guess.

Punaweb moderator

[gtill]

The recyling efforts are finally becoming transperent on the mainland. Recycle King, Gavin Newsom San Fran mayor, is setting a 1000$ fine for mixng recyclables! Drivers and workers will have citation power for such hideous crimes.

And we're still basically dumping into the ocean basically, D Ya think there might be a new mercury light bulb in the mix?

[mella l]

And I thought it all had to do with soda crackers from an open barrel! But that would encourage the roaches.

So went to Chico Friday for some grains from the plastic bins for the porage stuffs and at the check stand were these darling little shopping bags, in their very own bag with a clampton on them. None other than ChicoBags and I got a beautiful green one. I also love the plastic (oil consumption) TraderJoe bags, multi purpose as they are great for the beach too!

Costco, I love Costco, but I do not care for all the packaging. I like the idea of leaving the packaging behind in their bin, good and may help inspire less packaging in the future who knows.

You guys silly!



mella l

[Guest]

Instead of worrying about plastic bags, how about an all out effort to control crystal meth.

Instead of collecting food for the poor, Lets teach the poor how to plant food, be responsible with money and start and manage small businesses.

After you have solved all the real pressing problems like crime, hunger, bad roads, etc. then feel free to spend your energy worrying about something so mundane as what people pack the groceries in.

For the love of Pete!

[cynmkolohe]

Agreed that there are many other problems that need our attention...but why not act on the things that are within our control and then move forward with addressing the bigger issues.

The problem, to me, in addition to the actual material under discussion, is the lack of responsiblity of the people who are too distacted to be sure that their plastic bags don't end up in the ocean or in the trees along our highways.

I was in Waimea again this weekend--driving along the coast toward Puako, I was tempted to get out and walk, documenting all the plastic bags in the trees along the way with photos. It is a continuing--and growing--problem. In the trees today, in the ocean tomorrow.

Any reasonable measure that limits it gets my support.

Cynthia

Cynthia Hoskins, R(S)
Cell: 808 443-6564

Clark Realty Corporation
99 Aupuni St Hilo, HI
Office: 808 961-6015

[mattastic78]

Yes, let's ban plastic bags to save the turtles.

Then, we can use paper bags, which take more energy to produce, burn more gas in transportation and reduce the number of plants available to neutralize the effects of the CO2 output in fabricating and shipping the bags. (ie... paper bags have a MUCH larger carbon footprint when used in Hawaii)

And in the end, we'll still be killing the turtles because we're burning the planet up and changing the temperature of our oceans.

[]

By the way, those plastic bags are just as reusable as chicobags.. and they cost alot less and take less energy to produce.

Don't go after the bags, go after the people littering the bags.

[EightFingers]

Just add some more fuel: Poly bags are made from natural gas, not oil......

[aprild]

I think that anyone who is against banning plastic bags, thinks it's a silly idea or even someone who is lukewarm about the idea does not understand the implications of our use of plastic.

Sea turtles (and lots of other marine animals) eat them thinking they are food. Plastic can kill an animal outright or cause it to starve to death. Turtles and fish have died and found to have stomachs full of plastic. Turtles are not the only animals to be effected by plastic. The entire food chain is at risk.

There is an huge amount of plastic floating in the ocean. When it breaks down it is still intact plastic, just tiny pieces that cannot be separated from the sea water and minute animal and plant life like plankton.

The use of plastic bags and all plastic has a far-ranging impact on the survival of ... US.

It is not just litter. It is poison to the environment.

Anything, anything at all that we can do to stop its use is important, commendable and needed now.

The following article is about Hawaii & one woman's work to ban plastic bags:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/06/8745/

Growing Global Movement to Ban Plastic Bags

"There is a growing international movement to ban or discourage the use of plastic bags because of their environmental effects. Countries from Ireland to Australia are cracking down on the bags and action is beginning to stir in the United States."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0721-04.htm

Other good, informative articles on the subject:

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/05/6856/

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1006-04.htm

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1106-01.htm

On Midway Atoll, 40% of albatross chicks die, their bellies full of trash. Swirling masses of drifting debris pollute remote beaches and snare wildlife.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0802-06.htm

A ban on plastic bags IS the real solution. Then we need to seriously consider a ban on all or most plastic.

Even if you recycle plastic, you still do not know where it will end up. Any use of the bags contributes to the continued manufacture of them.

It hasn't been that long that plastic bags have been ubiquitous. How did we get along before?

Paper bags are a better choice because 1. they break down and 2. trees are a renewable resource. The best choice is to bring your own bags. Bugs? I'd sure rather have a healthy ocean full of fish than worry about a cockroach who might hitchhike home with me even now.





april