In an attempt to reduce the growing amount of plastics found in the waste stream of Oahu, the county of Honolulu has passed a ban on the use of plastic bags for stores not in the prepared foods category, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
The ban is scheduled to begin on July 1 and prevents all retail stores from using plastic packaging to carry their goods, with the exception of restaurants’ to-go items and other takeout food stores. Stores such as Foodland, Target and Wal-Mart will no longer be able to provide free plastic bags to customers.
Unaloto Vaka, a junior studying social work from Tonga, felt the ban will have a bigger impact on the students and community in Laie. “For me, it’s a problem because we need those things to put our groceries inside instead of carrying a backpack or things like that,” said Vaka. “I save them, like when I need to carry lunch or other things.”
He said the bags are useful and it would be difficult to make the change. “I don’t know if they have to put a price or a cost on the paper bags or things like that. If that’s the case, it would be hard for me because I would have to pay for the bags.”
Carolyn Cooke, a freshman social work major from Maryland, said it’ll be hard for students because of the different ways plastic bags are used. She said, “My roommates and I usually take the bags and use them in our dorm for garbage bags. It might make things a little inconvenient, but I think it’s a good idea.”
For Carrie Tsai, a senior studying biology from Taiwan, the ban on bags is a move in the right direction. “It’s a good thing,” said Tsai. “I don’t think I’ll have a problem with that.” She said this was a good move because of the possible good effect it may have on the environment. “I’ll just use something to replace those plastic bags. It’s not a big deal.”
The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated 12 percent of the municipal waste stream now consists of plastics, an increase from 1 percent in 1960.
David Bybee, an assistant professor of biology, said “I think fewer plastics available should hopefully translate into fewer plastics making it into streams and the ocean.” He said it would be worthwhile to look at other areas where the same ban has already been in place, looking for any changes in the amounts of litter in the water.
According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, the county will allow the use of reusable bags, compostable bags or recyclable bags containing at least 40 percent recycled content. Exemptions will be made for bulk-item bags, bags used for plant material, frozen foods and other damp items, newspaper bags for home delivery, pharmacy medication bags and bags sold in packages such as garbage bags.