Page 44 - Plastics News December 2020

Survey shows 66% Scots would support single- Honolulu Mayor Delays Plastic Utensil Ban by
use plastic charge 90 Days

survey by YouGov has revealed that 66% of Scots
Awould support introducing charges on single-use onolulu Mayor
plastic to cut reduce usage. The poll was conducted for HKirk Caldwell
non-governmental organisation Zero Waste Scotland. It
agreed to delay the
also showed that 89% of those backing an additional
charge supported the move to reduce harm to the enforcement of a
marine environment. Additionally, 87% supported the plastic utensils ban

on businesses in the
Hawaii Island of
Oahu by 90 days.
Businesses on Oahu
that serve prepared
food will now have until March 31 to use up their
existing stock of plastic utensils under the mayor's
extension announced earlier in the month. To reduce
solid waste, to protect the environment, to reduce
climate change, and to protect the health of humans,
move to reduce litter and 81% cited stopping/reducing
climate change as the reason. Zero Waste Scotland animals, and marine life, in December 2019, the
chief executive Iain Gulland said: “It is clear from Honolulu City Council passed a single-use plastics ban
these results that people are worried about the impact that is scheduled to go into effect in January 2021. The
single-use plastic items have on our environment.
Hawaii Restaurant Association and Hawaii Food Industry
These items can last for decades and the damage they
can cause to wildlife is shocking. “We have to find ways Association had been asking Caldwell to delay
to cut down the stream of items we are sending into enforcement of the ordinance that was scheduled to
what should be pristine habitats and the consultation
offers a valuable way for people to contribute to the begin January 01,2021 because of economic issues
discussion around market restrictions.” The survey also throughout the industry caused by the coronavirus
sought respondents' opinion on introducing a new pandemic.“The restaurant industry is one of our largest
legislation to restrict the supply of single-use plastic
industries here in urban Honolulu,” Caldwell said. “It
items such as plates, plastic straws, balloon sticks and
cutlery, beverage stirrers and more. The EU Single employed, prior to the pandemic, 55,000 people,
Plastics Directive identifies these products as the generating billions of dollars in revenue and they're
major contributors of litter found in the marine
really hurting. Many of them hang on by their fingernails
environment. Marine Conservation Society Scotland
conservation officer Catherine Gemmell said: “It's hoping for that brighter summer that is coming, but
encouraging to see so many people in this survey link they need to get to that summer. And so every
the single-use plastic issue to the negative impact it
additional cost that we place on them makes it harder
has on Scottish seas and wildlife. “We hope the Scottish
Government will take swift action and bring in further for them to live into that brighter summer.” The
measures to move Scotland towards a circular plastics ban had been approved by the Honolulu City
economy where nothing is wasted or thrown away, Council in December 2019. The ordinance also includes
negatively impacting our seas and beaches.” In August
this year, the UK Government decided to double the plans to ban the distribution of plastic plates, bowls and
price of single-use plastic carrier bags to 10p from April other food items starting in 2022.
next year.

DECEMBER 2020 44 Plastics News