LIHU‘E — Raynette Domingo had forgotten about the plastic bag ban until she saw a customer in the parking lot at Big Save. That prompted her to return to her car for her reusable shopping bag before doing her errands
LIHU‘E — Raynette Domingo had forgotten about the plastic bag ban until she saw a customer in the parking lot at Big Save. That prompted her to return to her car for her reusable shopping bag before doing her errands at the Lihu‘e grocery.
Similar experiences were shared by consumers around the island Tuesday, the first day for the new law to be in effect on Kaua‘i.
The inadvertent reminder Domingo received from a fellow Big Save shopper resulted in a nickel discount on her purchases.
Lagrimas Villon, the store manager, said the Lihu‘e Big Save was offering the deal to customers who brought their own bags in for shopping. Villon was unsure how long the discount would be in effect, but said it helps remind customers to bring their own bags.
There was little fanfare at other retail outlets like Kukui Grove Center, where the only noteworthy difference was shoppers toting more paper bags, many with handles.
People appeared to comply with the plastic bag reduction ordinance. A customer at Walmart commented that he had forgotten his reusable bag and now will have to pay extra to buy another one.
Shoppers leaving the Big Kmart store had their purchases in similar reusable shopping bags available at all the store’s checkouts. Some were using their own plastic bags from previous purchases, or in many cases, no bags at all.
“The discount sounds like a good idea to encourage customers to bring their own bags,” said Roland Tacsiat of Kaua‘i Bakery. “We are following the law and using the cardboard boxes and paper packages. All the plastic has been put away.”
He said he investigated the prices of paper bags and was surprised at the high cost and limited sizes.
“Companies don’t have bags large enough to accommodate the boxes, and if they do, it costs about three times more,” Tacsiat said, noting that discounts for people bringing their own bags sounds more attractive.
Villon said Lihu‘e Big Save started issuing paper bags last week after their supplies of plastic bags ran out.
“There are some people who miss the plastic because they use the bags for their trash,” Villon said.
Beyond that, Villon said the customers seem to accept the fact that plastic bags are now banned.
A county official said the ordinance will be enforced by the Solid Waste Division on behalf of the county engineer, but will not be making site visits to check for compliance. Instead, the division will be investigating based on complaints.
Allison Fraley, chairing a public hearing considering the adoption of administrative rules pertaining to the implementation of the plastic bag reduction law, said she has received dozens of phone calls over the past week seeking clarification on the new ordinance.
The rules for implementation have helped these people better understand the law, she said.
County Engineer Larry Dill, after considering written and oral testimony during the hearing Tuesday, said he will adopt the implementation rules and will forward them to the mayor for his approval.
Dr. Carl Berg of Surfrider Foundation, one of the early promoters of the ordinance along with other nonprofits like Zero Waste Kaua‘i, offered his compliments to the county for passing the law. He described the ordinance as “fair and equitable.”
But confusion arose among several Sunshine Market vendors. David Whatmore of Hula Daze Farms and Gary Ueunten asked for more time before implementing the law.
Both vendors were informed that plastic bags will not be allowed, but Fraley said the Solid Waste Division is in the process of working with vendors on the impact of the ordinance on their operation as part of its enforcement efforts.
Fraley said during this “transition” period, Emily Ishida and herself will be visiting the markets and speaking directly with the vendors to clarify the ordinance.
Mark Oyama of Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering said his main concern for being against the ordinance is food safety.
“I won’t allow reusable bags in my place of business,” Oyama said. “Reusable bags have the potential to carry and harbor pathogens which can cause cross-contamination of foods.”
Oyama said when he called the county for clarification, he was advised to use cardboard boxes, which he said can similarly carry such pathogens.
“This bill makes no sense,” Oyama said. “On July 16, 2007, the county created a Landfill Ban Enforcement for Commercially Generated Recyclables to divert recyclables, including cardboard, from the landfill to give it more life. Now, they’re telling me to use cardboard which will end up in the landfill.”
Oyama suggested that food service establishments be exempt from the ordinance due to food safety concerns.
These arguments, although not directly involved with the rules implementing the plastic bag reduction ordinance, did not fall on deaf ears. Kaua‘i County Council member Dickie Chang joined the hearing along with two Council Services members who were in attendance to become more educated on the law.
“There is a transition period,” Fraley said. “We’ve gotten calls from merchants whose supplies of bags haven’t come in, or have questions about the new ordinance. Overall, though, everyone has been very positive.”
The Kaua‘i County Council passed the bill in October 2009. The legislation requires all retail establishments to provide only recyclable paper bags — or reusable bags to its customers — with the aim of reducing the significant impacts of plastic bags on the environment.
A full copy of the Plastic Bag Reduction Law is available on the county’s website at www.kauai.gov/bagordinance, and people that have questions are invited to call Fraley at 241-4837, or e-mail afraley@kauai.gov.
