Plastic Bag Pollution:
It may seem like a trivial thing, but those “free” plastic bags we get at the grocers, department stores and restaurants are actually contributing to a world wide pandemic of plastics waste. Only 1-4% of the 19 billion plastic grocery and merchandise bags used annually in the State are recycled. That means that nearly 600 bags per second are discarded–destined either for the landfill or our marine environment.

SOLUTION: Hawaii Bills Would Ban Plastic Bags, Styrofoam
At least three bills are currently active in the Hawaii legislature this year that would ban plastic bags or styrofoam across the state, writes Linda Arakawa of the Honolulu Advertiser. This comes on top of numerous local campaigns, including efforts in Maui and Oahu counties. Hawaii State Senator Ron Menor told the Advertiser that he was optimistic about the fate of his polystyrene ban bill:

“I’m optimistic that the Styrofoam bill will get passed, and I think the passage of such a bill is necessary from the standpoint of protecting our environment and, more specifically, to address our significant landfill problems that are being exacerbated by the disposal of these nonbiodegradable products such as Styrofoam containers and plastics.”

How you can contribute to the solution:

 Link to Maui Recycle Information