In 2018 and again in 2019, Hawaii Senator Mike Gabbard introduced a bill to the state legislature to ban Styrofoam and plastic from restaurants, says to the Associated Press. BYU–Hawaii students interviewed said they share his concern.
On March 21, the bill was again rejected by two Hawaiian legislative committees. Both committees vetoed a section that would have banned the sale and use of plastic bottles, utensils, stirring sticks and straws in restaurants.
According to Restaurant Dive, Gabbard told fellow state legislators 95 percent of plastic packaging is thrown out after use. Additionally, 170-to-390 million plastic straws are used every day in the United States, according the New York Times.
Kamilo Beach on the Big Island has even earned the nickname “Plastic Beach,” due to 90 percent of its trash being plastic, says ostyer.com.
Members of the BYUH ohana said the use of plastics is a vicious cycle and a convenience that comes with negative consequences now and in the future.
Explaining the dangers of not banning disposable plastics, Kendra Nelson, a junior from Arizona majoring in marine biology, said, “A lot of disposable and recyclable plastic actually isn’t recycled but ends up in landfills. Out of 480 billion plastic bottles sold in 2016, less than 50 percent were collected for recycling and only 7 percent of those plastics were turned into new plastics.
“Less than 9 percent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled and plastic takes 450 years to break down...Not only that but 80 percent of plastic found in the ocean has come from land-based sources and landfills.”
According to the National Geographic website, just 12 percent of plastics ever created have been incinerated.
In the past, the United States shipped mixed plastics to China to be recycled. However China stopped accepting almost all these shipments in January 2018, reported National Pubic Radio. Nelson said, “Now the United States is left with tons of plastic and waste management doesn’t know what to do with it.
“So they dump them in landfills. But we continue to use plastics in enormous quantities, so the cycle will just continue and the plastic problem will continue to grow with no end in sight. It is a vicious cycle of convenience and we need to be the ones to break it.”
Nelson said restaurants in Hawaii should stop using plastic products at the current rate. “They just continue to add to the waste and problems. It is also unnecessary when there are other options for takeout and alternatives to plastic utensils or straws. There are plenty of options.”
Spencer Ingley, BYU–Hawaii professor of marine biology, warned about the dangers disposable plastics could have on Hawaii and its ecosystem. He said, “The effects of plastics on ecosystems in Hawaii and around the globe are numerous. I recall seeing images of animals becoming entangled in plastics since the time I was a child, so this issue is by no means new.” Some examples of the plastics Ingley talked about included soda can six-pack rings and fishing line.
“What has become apparent over recent years is the magnitude and variety of plastic items that are finding their way into virtually every ecosystem on earth. In Hawaii, we are not only subject to local pollution but also to the pollution that arrives on our shores from across the Pacific.
“When someone tosses a plastic water bottle on the ground in some country in Asia, that bottle can very quickly be swept into storm sewers by rainfall, which then takes this bottle to the nearest river and, eventually, out to the ocean.
“Then with some time, this bottle can find its way to Hawaii or other locations with the help of strong winds and ocean currents. Much of the plastic found along our shores comes from the open ocean, originating from other locations throughout the Pacific.”
When asked if the bill to ban disposable plastics was realistic, Ingley replied, “Measures such as this have already been passed in many municipalities and even entire countries are taking steps to ban disposable plastics across the board. I believe this particular measure is focused on use by the government and also by restaurants.”
Ingley continued, “Countless animals become entangled in free-floating ropes, fishing lines, and nets every year. This results in almost certain death for the individuals entangled, often a very slow and painful death. More animals are being discovered with intestines filled with plastics. I think this will become more common in the near future.”
If the bill were passed, Ingley said businesses would need to adapt to become more environmentally friendly. He also said change for environmental protection would need to start at an individual level. “Even if the bill was never passed, the people still have a responsibility to the environment.
“For example, at social gatherings with our families or community members, we can avoid purchasing single-serve, single-use plastic drink containers and instead opt for re-usable or paper cups and a cooler full of your favorite drink. An approach like this saves money and resources. It is a great way to generate awareness for an issue and promote community activity in solving the problem.
“I’ve even been to wedding receptions where guests are asked to bring their own reusable cup. When using plastics is unavoidable, we should get creative in re-using those items as much as possible to extend their life. We should also educate ourselves about how to recycle — what can and cannot be placed in the blue bin.
“Putting something in the trash that could be recycled is a missed opportunity, but at the same time, ‘wishcycling’ increases recycling costs and drives down efficiency. Education here is key and can really help align our actions with our desires to be wise stewards of the Earth we’ve been given.”
“Wishcycling” is putting something in the recycle bin that doesn’t belong there.
Emily Russon, a sophomore from Idaho studying social work, said the plastic ban in restaurants would be a big change for businesses. “Businesses like fast-food restaurants depend on plastic forks and straws. They make everything convenient due to how cheap they are. But with cheapness comes a great price. People just can’t be trusted not to throw their trash on the ground. There needs to be more personal responsibility even if this bill is not passed.”
Writer: Elijah Hadley