Deadline today for testimony on Maui Plastic Bag Ban, August 17

Maui’s plastic bag ordinance is the subject of a public hearing today in Wailuku.  Officials from the Department of Environmental Management will discuss proposed administrative rules that outline what types of bags are permissible and guidelines for compliance.

Maui’s plastic bag ban is set to go into effect on January 11, 2011, prohibiting businesses from providing plastic bags at the point of sale to transport groceries or other goods.

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares is pictured bagging groceries during an event at Pukalani Superette, highlighting reef protection and encouraging decreased use of plastic bags. FILE PHOTO: County of Maui, August 2008

Today’s meeting starts at noon at the Kalana Pakui Conference Room (Planning Department, First Floor) on South High Street.  Today is also the deadline to submit written testimony via email at recycle@mauicounty.gov or by postal mail to the Solid Waste Division at:  DEM, Solid Waste Division, 2200 Main St., One Main Plaza Ste. 225, Wailuku, HI, 96793.

The plastic bag reduction ordinance, which prohibits businesses from providing plastic bags at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other goods, will take effect January 11, 2011.

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 proposed rules may also be viewed free of charge at the Solid Waste Division located at 2200 Main Street, Wailuku (One Main Plaza), Suites 175 and 225 between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays and furlough days.

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.