THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	52
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the governor to endorse the new plastics economy global commitment and the office of planning and sustainable development to set targets to fulfill the new plastics economy global commitment.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the wasteful use of plastics continues to threaten the State's health and environment; and

 

     WHEREAS, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute and over five trillion plastic bags are used annually; and

 

     WHEREAS, many plastic products are designed for single-use and sixty percent of all plastic products produced since 1950 have eventually ended up in landfills or natural environments; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution, which pose a threat to the State's unique natural environments and vital tourism sector; and

 

     WHEREAS, in January 2020, the Guardian named Kamilo Beach on Hawaii island as one of the most plastic-polluted places on the globe and, in July of the same year, the Environmental Protection Agency deemed the beach to be contaminated by the high volumes of plastic waste; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the United Nations Environment Programme have created a New Plastics Economy Global Commitment to set goals and standards for the use of plastic products; and

 

     WHEREAS, the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment aims to reduce reliance on single-use plastic products and limit the production of plastic waste by:

 

     (1)  Eliminating unnecessary plastic packaging and products;

 

     (2)  Encouraging reuse;

 

     (3)  Incentivizing reusable, recyclable, and compostable packaging;

 

     (4)  Increasing collection and sorting of waste;

 

     (5)  Stimulating demand for recycled plastics; and

 

     (6)  supporting social and behavioral change; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State is already a signatory of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; and

 

     WHEREAS, the next step toward greater sustainability includes endorsement of the Global Commitment for a New Plastics Economy; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Governor is requested to endorse the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and United Nations Environment Programme's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development is requested to develop and publish meaningful targets to achieve the goals of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment and to implement policies in pursuit of those targets; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

New Plastics Economy; Global Commitment; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development