Bill Text: HI HR176 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Resolution 176 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Convening A Working Group To Discuss Local Issues Surrounding Waste Reduction.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 22-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-25 - Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cabanilla Arakawa, Creagan, Eli, Holt, Nakamura, Quinlan excused (6). [HR176 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-HR176-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	176
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

convening a working group to discuss local issues surrounding waste reduction.

WHEREAS, there is a need to create a statewide responsible waste management system that does not pollute the air, land, or ocean in order to maintain Hawaii's delicate island ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's unique geography and remote location make waste-relocation programs uniquely costly; and

WHEREAS, the placement of materials in waste disposal facilities such as landfills and incinerators leads to polluted air and waterways and transfers liabilities to future generations; and

WHEREAS, the increasing cost of oil and the continuing growth in worldwide consumption of our natural resources have created strong, stable markets for recovered materials; and

WHEREAS, waste-reduction technologies are rapidly advancing, providing many opportunities to reduce the costs of recycling; and

WHEREAS, investing in local recycling facilities can create diverse employment opportunities and create useful products and services; and

WHEREAS, conserving natural resources and reducing waste is of primary importance both locally and worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the ahupua�a system that was utilized throughout the Hawaiian islands, from mauka to makai, included principles of sustainability and continues to serve as a guide for making sustainable decisions today; and

WHEREAS, zero waste principles promote the highest and best use of materials to eliminate waste and pollution by emphasizing a closed-loop system of production and consumption, moving in logical increments toward the goal of zero waste through the core principles of:

(1) Improving downstream reuse and recycling of end-of-life products and materials to ensure their highest and best use;

(2) Pursuing upstream re-design strategies to reduce the volume and toxicity of discarded products and materials, and promote low-impact or reduced-consumption lifestyles; and

(3) Fostering and supporting the use of discarded products and materials to stimulate and drive local economic and workforce development; and

WHEREAS, adopting a goal of zero waste disposal and pursuing zero waste principles is consistent with and explicit validation of the State of Hawaii's commitment to state-wide sustainability; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that a working group be convened by the Legislature to discuss local issues surrounding waste reduction, including:

(1) Potential source reduction techniques, including plans to eliminate single-use plastic packaging from the Hawaii waste stream and phasing out the use of single-use plastic beverage containers;

(2) Developing strategies to encourage reuse in the food service industry, such as reusable container incentive programs for customers;

(3) Expanding local municipal recycling services throughout the islands;

(4) Incentivizing complimentary recycling facilities on different islands;

(5) Proposing sunset dates for contractual waste production obligations; and

(6) Developing education campaigns to publicize the types of materials that are compostable or recyclable in each county; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group consist of the following members or their respective designees:

(1) The State Sustainability Coordinator;

(2) A representative from the Office of Solid Waste Management;

(3) A representative from each county's respective department in charge of sustainability;

(4) A representative from each county's respective department in charge of solid waste and recycling;

(5) The Chairpersons of each County Council;

(6) The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection;

(7) The Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment;

(8) A representative of the Sierra Club of Hawaii;

(9) A representative of the Surfrider Foundation;

(10) A representative of Zero Waste Oahu;

(11) A representative of the Hawaii Food Industry Association;

(12) A representative of the Hawaii Restaurant Association;

(13) A representative of The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii;

(14) A representative of the Hawaii Tourism Authority; and

(15) A representative of Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the working group elect a chairperson amongst themselves; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group convene no later than July 1, 2020, and meet monthly until January 1, 2021; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit its findings and recommendations, including recommendations for pilot projects for Hawaii businesses to phase out single-use plastic packaging, promote reuse, and find sustainable alternatives for packaging, and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2021; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the State Sustainability Coordinator, State Solid Waste Management Coordinator, Mayor of each County, Chair of each County Council, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club of Hawaii, Hawaii Manager of the Surfrider Foundation, Director of Zero Waste Oahu, Chair of the Hawaii Food Industry Association, Chair of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and Executive Director of Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii.