Council will take up measure requiring retailers to use only biodegradable bags

Businesses would be prohibited from providing nonbiodegradable bags to customers under an ordinance being proposed by the City Council that would make Hono­lulu the last of the state’s four counties to adopt restrictions on the use of plastic bags.

A measure requiring businesses to distribute "compostable" bags, recyclable paper bags or reusable bags to customers is to be introduced Wednesday at the Council’s regular monthly meeting.

"In general, I think the time has come," Council Chairman Ernie Martin said Monday. "The fact that plastic bags are second to cigarette butts as the most littered item shows it’s time to address that issue."

Maui and Kauai counties enacted bans in 2011.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi signed a ban last month, although it does not take effect until next year, and merchants still would be allowed to sell plastic bags to customers for another year without penalty.

The bill going before the Council would prohibit businesses from providing plastic bags at the point of sale, and merchants could face civil fines of between $100 and $1,000 for each day a violation occurs.

The bill does not specify what types of businesses would be affected by the ordinance.

Council members last debated the measure in 2010 but deferred action that year while lawmakers and administration officials studied a more comprehensive proposal. The ban would have applied to businesses with annual gross sales of more than $1 million.

Opponents said in 2010 that proposal unfairly targeted large businesses over smaller retailers, such as plate lunch wagons and convenience stores, which use the bags with similar if not greater frequency.

In general, opponents say the use of paper and reusable bags takes up more space and adds to overhead costs, which are typically passed on to consumers. They say recycling and incentive programs are more effective ways to change consumer behavior.

The Council’s proposal comes as state lawmakers are considering a measure that would impose a 10-cent fee on disposable plastic and paper bags with the funds going to watershed protection projects. That bill would not supercede county ordinances.

"I think the fact that the Legislature is also taking it up shows that both at the state and the county side that there are some strong concerns about this particular issue," Martin said.

Wednesday’s City Council meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Kapolei Hale.