New Plastic Laws Benefit Local Hawaiian Company

    LAHAINA, HI, December 10, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As new plastic bag bans continue to roll out in Hawaii and other states, businesses, shoppers, and bag suppliers and manufacturers are preparing for change and making plans for how they will react. The laws have already been enacted in certain areas of the country, but Hawaii has become the first to pass a statewide ban.

Initially introduced on January 16, 2013, the ban on plastic bags has taken a journey. From type of plastic and size of bag, to specific retailers and purpose of the bag, many different details and components have gone into the ban. There have been opponents and proponents on both sides of the debate, and heated exchanges have taken place on county and state levels.

The most recent news comes out of Honolulu, where Mayor Kirk Caldwell just approved new changes to Oahu's plastic bag ban. The new law will go into effect July 2015 and will include a ban on biodegradable plastic bags. The original 2012 ban did not include biodegradable plastic.

In Caldwell's words at a recent press conference, "Biodegradable bags take a very, very long time to break down. They're not that great. Compostable bags are better. They break down quickly." According to Sec. 9-9.2 Ban on non-biodegradable plastic checkout bags, "Businesses shall be prohibited from providing [non-biodegradable] plastic checkout bags and non-recyclable paper bags to their customers at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise."

Retailers can, however, provide customers with recyclable paper bags, reusable bags, compostable plastic bags, and other alternatives. The new ban has no effect on small plastic bags that are used to package loose products like bakery goods, fruits, vegetables, prescription medication, dry cleaning, laundry, and newspapers.

Prior to the first plastic bag bans being implemented at the beginning of 2014, Robert Harris, the director of Sierra Club's Hawaii Chapter, said "Being a marine state, perhaps, we are exposed more directly to the impacts of plastic pollution and the damage it does to our environment."

In addition to Hawaii, California and other states have remained active in plastic bag legislation. Governor Jerry Brown of California signed a bill into law this September that will initiate a state wide ban starting July 1, 2015. There will also be a 10 cent minimum charge for reusable plastic bags, recycled paper, and other bags available at retail checkouts. The focus is on encouraging customers to bring their own reusable bags.

In the District of Columbia, there has been a ban on the use of non-recyclable plastic carry-out bags since 2009. The fee for all other disposable bags is five cents.

In 2009, the state of North Carolina banned plastic bags in the Outer Banks region, a string of islands just off the coast. However, the ban was temporarily relieved when a tornado hit the area and damaged a major paper bag distribution center. The ban has yet to be reenacted. At least four other states in the Northeastern United States have some sort of paper bag legislation in place.

Internationally, plastic bag legislation is also a hot topic. Parts of Mexico, Italy, Germany, and China are working on their own bans in an attempt to become more eco-friendly and green. Reports also suggest that Canada and parts of Spain are working on their own legislation. While the United States currently has the most bans in place, other countries are beginning to get involved.

According to the Department of Environmental Management in Hawaii County, "One high quality reusable bag can replace hundreds of single-use plastic bags over its lifetime. In the long term, the cost of a reusable bag can be lower than the cost of the single-use plastic bags it replaces."

While the ban may seem like a nuisance to customers and retailers, one business is thriving because of it. Local Hawaiian company Maui Brown Bag, a producer of 100% recycled paper bags, has seen an increase in business since the laws have been introduced. According to the company's website, "Being a Hawaii recycled paper shopping bag supplier, Maui Brown Bag is committed to green living and an environmentally friendly consumer experience for all."

The company does this by providing dozens of unique styles and designs, each fully customizable for thousands of different uses. Some of the products offered include merchandise bags, Kraft handle bags, restaurant bags, and reusable bags. As a full service company, Maui Brown Bag offers bulk orders, wholesale prices, and artwork specifications.

According to a company representative, "our bags meet, and even exceed, the Maui County Ordinance #587, which regulates use of plastic bags, while encouraging recycled and reusable bags in a commercial setting."

As more and more laws are introduced in Hawaii and other coastal states, Maui Brown Bag believes it will encourage eco-friendly retail practices. When asked about the impact recycling could have on businesses, company officials point to facts and figures.

They have thoroughly studied and researched the benefits of paper over plastic and believe the future of retail will soon be 100 percent recyclable paper. Company representatives believe the demand for recycled paper in ten years will exceed the available supply by 1.5 million tons. As the website says, "The easiest way to support community recycling efforts is to look for products created from high percentages of post-consumer waste, such as Maui Brown Bag."

As new bans on plastics continue to be implemented throughout Hawaii, California, and other states and counties, Maui Brown Bag believes it's important for both consumers and retailers to focus on how they can become more environmentally friendly and green. For more information on Hawaiian ordinances, rules, bans, and legislation, contact the Department of Environmental Management's Solid Waste and Recycling offices or visit HawaiiZeroWaste.org.

Maui Brown Bag serves Maui, Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, and the Mainland. The company is one of the premier suppliers of 100 percent recycled paper bags in the state and is rapidly expanding into new areas. Maui Brown Bag prides itself on being both affordable and environmentally friendly.

Maui Brown Bag
PO Box 1677
Lahaina, HI 96767
808-658-5175

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