It looks like businesses will still be allowed to give plastic shopping bags out to customers on the Big Island, after a County Council committee voted 6 to 3 against the measure.
Bill 193 was introduced by North Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffmann, and would have gone into effect January 1, 2010. Hoffmann says the restriction on plastic bags is necessary.
A group of environmentally minded residents testified on the matter. Hilo resident Katie Woollven dressed up special for the occasion… wearing hundreds of plastic bags to illustrate her point.
Plastic bags are considered an environmental nuisance that do not biodegrade. This video, taken at the Hilo landfill last year, reveals thousands of old plastic bags, still intact.
However, most of the council-members felt the time wasn’t right.
A number of local stores also testified against the bill, which will likely be defeated at full council.
(Aired on 2/10/2010 – voice of Tim Bryan / video by David Corrigan)
