Maui County Is Taking The Sunscreen Ban A Step Further
In the effort to protect the beautiful marine life and reefs of Hawaii, Maui County is making taking it a step further in the fight against chemical sunscreens.
Studies by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have shown that non-mineral sunscreens have been shown to threaten the health of coral reefs, marine life, and coastal waters. More specifically chemical and non-mineral sunscreens negatively affect the growth of green algae, cause bleaching to coral, and decrease reproduction of fish species.
On December 11th 2021, Maui County passed the Maui County Ordinance 5306 which will ban the sale, distribution and / or use of non-mineral sunscreens as of October 1st, 2022. The passing of this legislation will help further the mission of making a positive impact on Hawaii’s tourism industry making it less harmful to the states biodiversity and making it more sustainable.
This Ordinance is a piggyback off of the statewide ban that made Hawaii the first state in the nation to ban the sale of sunscreen containing octinoxate and oxybenzone which took effect as of January 1st, 2021.
For a reef-safe alternative, check out mineral sunscreens.
