Bill banning polystyrene foam containers advances

Lawmakers have tentatively approved a bill to impose a statewide ban on polystyrene foam containers.

Nine students from Kaiser High School’s environmental club, the Wipeout Crew, held glass jars of polystyrene debris and cheered Monday as Senate Bill 2498 passed the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health Committee. The bill now moves to a full Senate vote.

The bill would prohibit restaurants and other vendors from the sale or use of polystyrene foam containers starting Jan. 1.

Kaiser High School teacher Paul Balazs, who is the lead supporter of the Wipeout Crew, said the club of about 30 students already has removed polystyrene products from their school cafeteria.

“Changing behavior is one thing for our friends and family and our community. But changing the law will actually effectively bring change across the state. Having students come see the process and see when it hits the ground and what it looks like, it’s huge,” Balazs said.

The Kaiser students participate in about two beach cleanups each month, with polystyrene being one of the most common debris collected.

Shannon Murphy, the 17-year-old president of the Wipeout Crew club, said clearing beaches of foam containers is difficult due to their light weight, which allows them to blow away and makes the issue “never ending.”

“This is my future we’re talking about,” Murphy said. “The number of Styrofoam and plastics on our beach has only been increasing, so given 20 years from now, who knows what our beaches are gonna look like.”

Stuart Coleman, the Hawaii regional manager for the Surfrider Foundation, said in an interview that polystyrene foam is one of the least recycled plastics.

“It really is just common sense,” Coleman said. “The students get it right away. They know.”

The Hawaii Food Industry Association opposed the bill, and said in written testimony that biodegradable products cost 30 percent more than polystyrene products.

“Many of our members have found it impossible to find an alternative product which keeps food hot and is sturdy enough to protect consumers from spills and burns. The desire to keep food in good condition after it is taken to go is a primary concern for food retailers,” said Lauren Zirbel, the executive director at HFIA.

The Honolulu City Council is also considering a ban on foam containers on Oahu, and Coleman said the Surfrider Foundation will be pursuing that bill as well.

A foam ban already has been initiated for Maui County which will take effect at the end of this year, and for Hawaii County in July 2019.