HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	192
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE USE OF POLYSTYRENE FOAM ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS IN HAWAII.

     WHEREAS, due to the inherent nonbiodegradable, nonrecyclable nature and chemical composition of expanded polystyrene foam (commonly known as Styrofoam), the use and disposal of this product poses a significant threat not only to Hawaii's ecosystems and environment but also to the general health and welfare of the citizens of this state; and

     WHEREAS, expanded polystyrene foam is a petroleum by‑product, nonrenewable resource composed of the chemical styrene, a neurotoxin and a possible human carcinogen; and

     WHEREAS, when expanded polystyrene foam breaks down in the State's landfills, dangerous chemicals leach into the seepage of the landfills, adversely impacting the State's environment and ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, landfill seepage that is pumped out of the landfill and inadequately processed or treated before being discharged into the ocean, also threatens marine ecosystems around the islands; and

     WHEREAS, expanded polystyrene foam products take hundreds of years to break down, posing a significant long‑term detrimental impact upon Hawaii's environment and ecosystems; and

     WHEREAS, when expanded polystyrene foam is disposed of by incineration, it produces a dense, black, irritating smoke containing acidic gases and over 90 different chemical compounds, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and the known neurotoxin and possible human carcinogen, styrene; and

     WHEREAS, when, contrary to the designed one-time use, food or beverages are reheated in expanded polystyrene foam containers, leaching of the chemical neurotoxin styrene occurs; and

     WHEREAS, improper or inadvertent disposal (littering) of expanded polystyrene foam products is not only an aesthetic concern but also raises significant health and welfare concerns for the State's aquatic and wildlife; and

     WHEREAS, disposable cups, clamshell containers, egg cartons, meat trays, and numerous other items made from expanded polystyrene foam pose a significant threat to the environment, including the numerous and oftentimes fragile ecosystems that exist in Hawaii, and to the health and welfare of the general public; and

     WHEREAS, Haleiwa town's Plastic Free Haleiwa coalition provides a tremendous example and excellent model of community members and business owners working together to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of disposable plastics, including expanded polystyrene foam products, in their community; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to conduct a study on the feasibility of using polystyrene foam alternative products in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study consider the economic impact of the use of polystyrene foam alternative products in the state, as well as Hawaii's potential as a manufacturer of polystyrene foam alternative products; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Report Title: 

Legislative Reference Bureau study on the feasibility of using polystyrene foam alternative products in Hawaii.