Hawaii would be the first state in the U.S. to ban most plastics at restaurants under legislation that aims to cut down on waste that pollutes the ocean. Dozens of cities across the country have banned plastic foam containers, but Hawaii’s measure would make it the first to do so statewide. The liberal state has a history of prioritizing the environment — it’s mandated renewable energy use and prohibited sunscreen ingredients that harm coral. A second, more ambitious proposal would go even further and prohibit fast-food and full-service restaurants from distributing and using plastic drink bottles, utensils, stirring sticks, bags and straws. The Hawaii efforts would be stricter than in California, which last year became the first state to ban full-service restaurants from automatically giving out plastic straws, and broader than in Seattle, San Francisco and other cities that have banned some single-use plastics. Activists believe the foam container measure has a better chance of passing in Hawaii. "We have this reputation of setting the example for the world to follow, and that’s what we’re trying to do here," state Sen. Mike Gabbard, lead author of the more ambitious measure, said to the Senate. "Our state can once again […]
Latest Articles
Using Candy and Jam to Protect Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest
Takeaways: Luiz Henrique Lopes Ferreira is a 22-year-old who makes and sells candies, jam and liqueurs from more than a hundred varieties of local...
These Upcycled Bricks Filter Pollution from Rainwater Runoff
Takeaways: AquiPor Technologies have created bricks that absorb runoff water and pollution from rainwater runoff.
The runoff management prevents particle pollution from reaching rivers...
The Secret to Saving Mountain Gorillas
Takeaways: 40 years ago, the population of mountain gorillas was listed as 'critically endangered'; now there are over 1000 gorillas.
One of the reasons...
Recycling Partnership Plans to Collect a Billion Pounds of Recyclables Each Year
Takeaways: The Recycling Partnership has successfully diverted more than 770 million pounds of waste from landfills.
They started in 2014 and have helped communities...
Minimass Is a 3D-Printed Solution to a Problem
Takeaways: Minimass is a 3D printed concrete beam that aims to reduce the carbon footprint in the construction industry.
This can reduce the amount...
France Produces Offshore Wind Power For the First Time
Takeaways: The Saint-Naizaire offshore wind farm in western France has produced the first megawatt-hours from French offshore wind.
France is expected to have 50...