Policy to Prohibit Disposable Plastics on County Property
Acceptable Compostable Alternatives
POLYSTYRENE FOOD SERVICE CONTAINER BAN

Plastic Food Service Container – Means plates, trays, cups, bowls, cartons and hinged or lidded containers ade predominantly of plastic derived from petrolium and intended for a one-time use. a tube made predominantly of plastic derived from petrolium and intended for a one-time use. There are compostable alternatives on the market, and resuable items are recommended.

Plastic Cutlery – Means a utensil such as a fork, spoon, or knife, made predominantly of plastic derived from petrolium and intended for a one-time use. There are compostable alternatives on the market, and reusable cutlery is recommended. 

Plastic Beverage Straws – Means a tube made predominantly of plastic derived from petroleum for transferring a beverage from its container to the mouth of the drinker. “Plastic Beverage Straw” does not include compostable polymer forms or those that are made from non-plastic materials such as paper, grain, stalks, bamboo, etc.

Plastic Stirrer – Means a device used to mix beverages inteneded for one time use. There are stirrers made from wood and bamboo on the market.

Bottled Water – The County recommends using reusable water bottles or serving water from jugs in to reusable cups for events.

Plastic Bags – Heavy duty reusable bags lasts longer than 700 disposable plastic bags and only 20% of paper bags are recycled, so you’ll do your part to help our environment by using reusable bags.

Polystyrene Food Service Container Ban

NOTICE: ORDINANCE 1079 RESTRICTING EPS USE BEGINS JANUARY 1, 2022

Ordinance 1079 Article 27, Chapter 22 restricting the use and sale of polystyrene foam food containers takes effect on January 1, 2022. The Administrative Rules associated with the Ordinance were finalized on October 6, 2021.

Ordinance highlights:

• Food providers shall not sell, use, provide, or offer polystyrene foam food service containers
• Polystyrene foam service containers shall not be offered for sale or sold in the County
• “Food provider” means any entity or person providing prepared food for consumption
• “Food service container” means all plates, trays, cups, bowls, cartons, and hinged or lidded containers (clamshells) on or in which any foods or beverages are placed or packaged or intended to be placed or packaged and designed for one-time use
• “Polystyrene foam” means blown polystyrene and expanded and extruded foams 

POLYSTYRENE FOOD SERVICE CONTAINER BAN

Below is a copy of the Ordinance and the Administrative rules.

• Ordinance 1079
• Administrative Rules Related to Ordinance 1079

There are several companies on Kauai that carry compostable food service containers that would be allowed under the proposed Restriction of the Use and Sale of Polystyrene Foam Food Service Containers.

• Hopaco-Officemax – 808-723-5750
• Jimmy’s Sales – 808-246-0444
• Ventures – 808-246-4886

There are also online vendors that  supply comparable containers, quantities, and styles.

“Compostable” means materials that are able to undergo biological decomposition or become part of usable compost in a safe and timely manner either in an appropriate composting program or facility, or in a home compost pile or device. Food service containers containing plastics to qualify as compostable, such food service containers must meet ASTM Standard D6400 for Compostable Plastics or ASTM Standard D6868 for biodegradable plastic film.

When purchasing containers please be aware of the following definitions:

“ASTM Standard” means the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

“ASTM Standard D6400” means the ASTM specification for plastics and products that are designed to be composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities.

“ASTM Standard D6868” means the ASTM specification establishing the requirements for labeling of materials and products (including packaging) wherein a biodegradable plastic film or coating is attached to compostable substrates and the entire product or package is designed to be composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities.