Oahu law deters single use of any type of shopping bag

Question: Why does the bag ban apply to paper bags too? What did paper bags ever do to the monk seals and other marine life? Fifteen cents a bag is a lot for us folks who forget to bring our own bags every time.

Answer: Although commonly known as the “plastic bag ban,” the Honolulu law that takes effect Sunday aims to reduce single-use shopping bags of any type, said Honolulu City Councilman Brandon Elefante, who introduced the measure. To answer another reader’s question: Bag fees will stay with the business that collects them, he said. Here’s his full response:

“The bag ban actually also bans non-recyclable paper bags from being issued to customers, and so to meet the merchants’ concerns the ordinance allows them to offer ‘reuseable bags, compostable bags, or recyclable paper bags,’ as a compromise, using these somewhat more environmentally- friendly options. The intention is to reduce single-use bags in our environment (plastic or paper).

“Nationally, charging for bags has been found to be an effective incentive for customers to bring their own bags to their favorite retailer. If the merchants offered just paper bags but charged for plastic bags, most people would take the free bag and we would not achieve our goal of reducing single-use bags in our environment. Because these bags cost more for the merchants, the compromise that was agreed to by the business groups and the environmental groups was to allow the minimum of a 15-cent charge to defray the cost of these bags. The city does not receive any money from this charge; it goes back to the merchant. Prior to this ordinance, merchants were already able to charge for any bags they offered. (As an example, Walmart was charging 10 cents per bag.)

“The other three counties of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii have established bag bans with positive results. The state of California, cities in Florida, Illinois, and Colorado have established bag bans. Most countries in Europe do not provide shopping bags for their customers.

“On the plastic side, it’s important to note that existing exemptions to this law still apply. So restaurants may hand out reusable plastic bags with their to-go food, and dry cleaners may still use plastic to cover clothing items.”

Bill 59 (2016), FD1, CD3, was approved unanimously by the Honolulu City Council and signed into law by Mayor Kirk Caldwell, amending Sections 9-9.1 through 9-9.4 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, which regulate bags provided to customers on Oahu.

Starting Sunday, businesses won’t be allowed to provide plastic checkout bags or nonrecyclable paper bags at the point of sale to transport groceries or other merchandise, with some exceptions. However, they can offer reusable bags, compostable plastic bags or recyclable paper bags, as long as they charge the customer at least 15 cents per bag. After Jan. 1, 2020, compostable plastic bags won’t be allowed, even with a fee.

Mahalo

A belated but very sincere mahalo for the aid my mother received at the Diamond Head Theatre during a Saturday performance. We were seated in the front row when she suddenly fainted and slumped over in her seat. There was a moment of panic, as I tried to figure out what had happened to her in the darkened theatre. To the woman who generously offered to get help, the kind lady behind us who fanned my mother until she came to and to manager Cassie who helped lead us out of the theatre, we are truly grateful for your assistance that day. Also, to the cast, we apologize for the disturbance we caused. You were all so professional throughout it all, and we’re sorry we could not stay to enjoy the remainder of the play. Mom is better now, and wants to make sure you all know how thankful she is. — Gayle

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.