Ban single-use plastic bottles at Honolulu City facilities and events

Plastic pollution on our beaches and parks overwhelmingly comes from products that are used for a few minutes, are discarded into the environment, and then persist in our streets, waterways and ocean for a lifetime. 

Bill 59(24) introduced by councilmemberʻs Matt Weyer and Tommy Waters, takes proactive measures targeting a significant category of plastic pollution, single use plastic bottles. Recycling is not only a reactive measure to the overwhelming plastic crisis, but is in fact largely a myth spread by large fossil fuel companies like Exxon Link to Surfrider lawsuit against Exxon to allow continued production of plastic products. Plastic products can not be safely discarded and the recycling industry will not solve the environmental crisis or keep plastic out of landfills.

In line with Surfrider Foundation strategic goal to eliminate all single-use plastic consumer products in the U.S. by 2035, preventing land-based plastic waste from entering the ocean. This policy would restrict the sale and purchase of single-use plastic bottles under one liter at public City facilities, city-authorized concession, city-sponsored or permitted events or programs, such as concerts and street festivals. 

We support Bill 59(24) to be passed to an ordinance in current form with amendments to the restrictions to broaden the ban to plastic bottles under two liters and to include sale and purchase at any box store, grocery store or supermarket doing business in the city and to strengthen enforcement of restrictions by having dedicated staff to do compliance checks.