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Frequently Asked Questions
What products does this proposal affect?
Styrofoam disposable food service-ware includes containers, bowls, plates, trays, cartons, cups, and other items that are designed for one-time use for prepared foods, including food service-ware for takeout foods and leftovers from partially consumed meals.
This proposal applies to restaurants, retail food vendors, non-profit, and government food providers and packagers who serve, vend, provide, or package prepared food in the State. Also, State and county agencies along with public contractors and lessees are prohibited from purchasing, acquiring or using disposable food service-ware that contains styrofoam.
What are the alternatives to styrofoam?
There is a growing market for alternative products to styrofoam. These products are biodegradable and manufactured from readily renewable sources such as bagasse from sugarcane fiber, corn and potato. Presently, a styrofoam plate-lunch container costs approximately 12 to 15 cents apiece, while a biodegradable bagasse plate-lunch container costs 10 cents more, between 22 to 25 cents apiece.
Cities such as San Francisco, which have implemented a ban on styrofoam food service-ware products have experienced a dramatic influx of distributors of alternative products into the market, driving the cost of these styrofoam alternatives down.
As part of this measure's proposal, the State Department of Health (“DOH”) is required to create, regularly update, and distribute a list of alternative products available to styrofoam
Is prohibiting the use of styrofoam in food service-ware products done elsewhere?
Nearly 100 municipalities across the United States have successfully banned or regulated the use of styrofoam food service-ware products, including cities such as San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and Portland.
California and New York are also currently considering proposals to ban state-wide, the use of styrofoam food service-ware products. Hawaii could potentially be the first in the United States to do so.
When does the ban take effect?
The ban takes effect January 1, 2010.
DOH is tasked with implementation of the ban, and with devising and implementing a year and a half long public education campaign to heighten awareness and encourage voluntary compliance with the ban, before its effective date.
How is implementation of the ban being funded?
Funding is appropriated from the Environmental Response Revolving Fund (ERRF) established under Hawaii Revised Statutes §128 (d)(2) to "support environmental protection and natural resource protection programs, including... solid and hazardous waste."
What happens if the ban is not complied with?
The measure provides for monetary penalties to be assessed for first time violations along with second or subsequent violations.
Interestingly, San Francisco estimates it has achieved approximately a seventy-percent compliance rate without issuing one single citation for non-compliance.
How can I get involved?
Contact your legislator and encourage their support.
Check out our participate page to find out more.
For more information click here.
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