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Hawaii

What’s the Story?

Hawaii was the first state in the United States to ban most plastics at restaurants. The state’s cities have adopted Food Ware and Plastic Bags Bans to address the impact of plastic on the environment. Only Maui and Honolulu have also prohibited plastic straws and stirrers. In December 2020, the Hawaii Legislature passed Act 254 (Appendix A), to officially form the Plastic Source Reduction Working Group, to make recommendations to reuse, reduce, recycle, and recover plastic waste.

The City and County of Honolulu is a leader developing responsible waste management policies and programs to protect the environment, reduce climate change, and to protect the health of humans, animals, and marine life. Honolulu’s Disposable Food Ware Ordinance  (DFWO) has been in full effect since January 1, 2022. It states that NO business or food vendor shall sell, serve, or provide prepared food in polystyrene foam food ware or provide disposable single-use plastic food ware like plastic straws.

 

How Does the Ban Affect Me? 

In Honolulu or Maui, the businesses that will not comply with the law face fines of  $100 - $1,000 per day of violation. All businesses including groceries, restaurants, farmer’s markets and other retailers must comply with laws banning single-use plastics in Hawaii. Yet, not all disposable food wares made from plastic are banned statewide. It's important to know your county's complete ordinance, the adopted administrative rules and other information. If your business or organization provides food or drinks—whether for sale or free of charge—you’ll be required to offer eco-friendly alternatives to cutlery, plastic straws and stirrers.

 

City & County Food Ware Bans Comparison Chart  

   

Effective Date

Plastic straws, stirrers prohibited

Disposable plastics prohibited

Requirements for alternatives to disposable plastic, food service ware

Honolulu

1/1/2022

Yes

Yes; service ware, and PS and plastic food ware

Not stated

Hawaii

7/1/2019

No

Yes; requires recyclable or compostable food service ware

Recyclable or compostable

Maui

1/1/2022

Yes

Yes

Not stated

Kauai

1/1/2022

No

Yes; only PS food service containers

Not stated

 

 

How Can I Stay Compliant?

 

HAY! Straws® offer natural alternatives to single-use plastics and can help your business make the switch to compostable service ware. Try the Original HAY! Straws® made from wheat stems, available in cocktail and tall size drinking straws, and Stir Sticks also made from sturdy wheat stems. For a wider, more robust straw try HAY! Straws® Jumbo straws made from reed stems and perfect for crushed iced drinks. Switch your plastic cutlery for HAY! Bamboo Cutlery made from FSC certified bamboo and compostable after use. Businesses can request samples to test these plastic-free alternatives.

 

 

Why Are HAY! Straws® a Great Choice?

 

 

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