HCR190 HD1

WHEREAS, Hawaii's landfills are nearing capacity, with the State facing significant community opposition to the expansion of existing facilities or the establishment of new facilities; and

WHEREAS, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, construction and demolition waste constitutes approximately twenty-one to forty percent of landfill mass nationwide and represents one of the largest contributors to solid waste in Hawaii, further exacerbating landfill pressures; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive and coordinated cross-industry approach is critical to advancing the circular construction economy, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable practices across Hawaii's construction and demolition sectors; and

WHEREAS, local recycling nonprofits and community-based organizations in Hawaii have made significant progress in advocating for deconstruction, reuse, and circular economy principles but face barriers in scaling these efforts to have broader policy and economic impact; and

WHEREAS, a construction and demolition waste reduction working group could serve as a catalyst to coordinate efforts across industries, identify resources, remove systemic barriers, and recommend targeted incentives that promote sustainable practices and economic growth; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of reclaimed and reused materials, which are often low-embodied carbon alternatives to virgin materials, could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support Hawaii's carbon reduction goals, as outlined in Act 15, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, which commits the State to carbon neutrality by 2045; and

WHEREAS, landfills have historically been located near disadvantaged communities, disproportionately exposing these communities to health risks such as air pollution, groundwater contamination, and other environmental hazards, and addressing these injustices should be a central goal of sustainable waste management policies; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a working group will help make actionable recommendations, including reviewing potential approaches, proposing solutions, and prioritizing actions to promote deconstruction, materials reuse, and waste reduction; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health, given its mandate to protect public health and the environment, would be well-suited to lead the working group to ensure representation from all relevant stakeholders and alignment with Hawaii's sustainability and equity goals; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to convene a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

(1) Identify and implement solutions to reduce construction and demolition waste statewide;

(2) Develop strategies to scale deconstruction and materials reuse to reduce landfill dependency;

(3) Support the growth of the circular construction economy by fostering public and private sector collaboration;

(4) Ensure alignment with Hawaii's carbon neutrality and environmental justice goals; and

(5) Create a framework for policy and economic incentives that promote sustainable practices; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include the following members:

(1) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee;

(2) The Comptroller, or the Comptroller's designee;

(3) One representative from the Department of Education;

(4) One representative from the Department of Transportation;

(5) One representative from the University of Hawaii System; and

(6) Private sector leaders invited to participate as members of the working group, including:

(A) One representative from the construction industry;

(B) One representative from the demolition and deconstruction industry;

(D) One representative from the real estate development industry;

(E) One representative with expertise in historic preservation;

(F) One representative with expertise in architecture;

(G) One representative with expertise in urban planning; and

(H) One representative from the waste management industry; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to invite and involve community groups with expertise in workforce development, public policy, and environmental justice; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to focus on policy innovation and cross-industry collaboration, exploring best practices from successful circular economy programs in other regions, such as those implemented in Denmark, the Netherlands, and other global leaders in circular construction; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit annual reports 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; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the reports are requested to include the working group's successes and opportunities for further action in advancing the circular construction economy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health; Comptroller; Chairperson of the Board of Education; Director of Transportation; and President of the University of Hawaii.

Report Title:

DOH; DAGS; Construction Demolition Waste; Waste Reduction; Working Group; Reports

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	190
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII