HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2726
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to solid waste management.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that plastic scrap is highly problematic; it has low economic value, is difficult to recycle, and does not easily break down in the environment. For over a decade, China has been importing the majority of the United States' plastic scrap; however, in July of 2017, China announced that it will effectively ban imports on twenty-four types of scrap. This has disrupted the global recycling market and necessitates that Hawaii continue to innovate and improve to find local alternatives to plastics recycling in this changing market.

The legislature further finds that the current redemption rate of the deposit beverage container program is 67 per cent, down from 78.7 per cent in 2009. The all-time lowest redemption rate since the program's inception occurred in 2016 at 66.9 per cent. Efforts need to be made to increase the redemption rate and ensure that less plastic is being deposited in landfills and the ocean.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the department of health to set benchmarks to reach an eighty-five per cent redemption rate by 2023;

(2) Establish a plastics recycling grant program to identify Hawaii-based alternatives for the sustainable recycling and reuse of plastic commodities;

(3) Require the department of health to annually report to the legislature on redemption rates, progress, and plans regarding the deposit beverage container program; and

(4) Appropriate funds to establish two positions for the glass advance disposal fee program.

SECTION 2. Chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§342G-   Plastics recycling grant program. There is established within the department the plastics recycling grant program to provide grants to identify Hawaii-based alternatives for the sustainable recycling and reuse of plastic commodities within the State. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section."

SECTION 3. Chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to part VIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§342G-   Redemption benchmarks. No later than January 1, 2019, the department shall establish benchmarks to reach a redemption rate of eighty-five per cent by January 1, 2023.

§342G-   Reporting requirements. The department shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session detailing redemption rates, progress, and plans regarding the deposit beverage container program."

SECTION 4. There is established one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) environmental health specialist IV position and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) planner IV position for the advance disposal fee program within the department of health.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $169,466 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions for the glass advance disposal fee program, which shall be allocated as follows:

(1) $84,733 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) environmental health specialist IV position; and

(2) $84,733 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) planner IV position.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the plastics recycling grant program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Deposit Beverage Container Program; Benchmarks; Plastics Recycling Grant Program; Advance Disposal Fee Program; Reporting Requirements; Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the department of health to set benchmarks to reach an eighty-five per cent redemption rate by 2023. Establishes and appropriates funds for a plastics recycling grant program to identify Hawaii-based alternatives for the sustainable recycling and reuse of plastic commodities. Requires the department of health to annually report to the legislature on redemption rates, progress, and plans regarding the deposit beverage container program. Appropriates funds to establish two positions for the glass advance disposal fee program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.