Maui readies itself for Plastic Bag Ban

Maui will hold a public hearing on the proposed Plastic Bag ban ordinance set to go into effect in January.  The county also plans to adopt administrative rules at the meeting.  The plastic bag reduction ordinance prohibits businesses from providing plastic bags at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other goods.  The meeting is set for Noon on August 17 at the Kalana Pakui Conference room

The Department of Environmental Management is encouraging the public to review the proposed administrative rules, which provide detailed information on permissible bags and the terms of violations to the order.

A copy of the proposed rules may be viewed and downloaded free of charge from the County website at www.mauicounty.gov/solidwaste (click on “Plastic Bag Ban”).

The public may provide feedback on the proposed rules by submitting testimony in person at the hearing, or through written testimony prior to the hearing. Deadline to submit written testimony is Tuesday, August 17, 2010 via email to recycle@mauicounty.gov or via postal mail: DEM, Solid Waste Division, 2200 Main St., One Main Plaza Ste. 225, Wailuku, HI, 96793.

For more information on the public hearing or the proposed administrative rules, call the Recycle Maui County Hotline at (808) 270-7880. From Molokai, call toll-free 1-800-272-0117; from Lanai, call toll-free 1-800-272-0125. Toll-free callers should request extension 7880.