STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1324

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.C.R. No. 27

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 27 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DIVISION TO ENSURE THAT DESTINATIONS TO WHICH THE STATE'S RECYCLABLE WASTE IS TRANSPORTED FOR OUT-OF-STATE PROCESSING ABIDE BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AS OUTLINED BY THE BASEL CONVENTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Health's Environmental Management Division to ensure that destinations to which the State's recyclable waste is transported for out-of-state processing abide by the environmental standards as outlined by the Basel Convention.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawaii Food Industry Association, American Chemistry Council, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that much of the recyclable waste that is shipped to United States destinations from Hawaii is subsequently sent overseas for end-of-life processing, where it is often handled in a manner that causes harm to human health and local environments. This measure would ensure that the State's recyclable waste is processed in a manner that aligns with certain health and safety standards.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 27 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair