Environment (Recycling) in Hawaii

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1275: Informing the Legislature that on June 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2101 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 173).

This bill, signed into law as Act 173, updates Hawaii's solid waste management goals to address organic waste reduction. It requires counties to include specific benchmarks in their waste management plans to reduce organic waste disposal by 40% by 2038 and 70% by 2043, with a target of eliminating such disposal entirely by 2048. The legislation also defines organic waste to include compostable plant and animal materials like food scraps and green waste, while instructing counties to assess recycling and bioconversion methods that account for invasive species risks. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to all county integrated solid waste management plans.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 191: RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE VEHICLES AND THE RISKS THAT TRAFFIC-RELATED AIR POLLUTION POSES TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT TO TRANSITION TO CLEANER TRANSPORTATION CHOICES.

This House Resolution acknowledges the public health risks posed by air pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles, particularly in communities near busy roadways and among vulnerable populations like children and older adults. It highlights how traffic-related pollutants can affect both outdoor and indoor air quality, potentially contributing to respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems. The resolution affirms the state's commitment to transitioning toward cleaner transportation options and directs copies of the document to key state officials to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Air Quality Recycling Public Health Electric Vehicles

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 128: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON RECYCLABLE, BIODEGRADABLE, AND COMPOSTABLE LABELING IN THE STATE TO DETERMINE IF THE LABELING IS ACCURATE AND NON-DECEPTIVE.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Health to conduct a study on the accuracy and clarity of recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable product labeling within the state. The study will examine whether current labels and symbols, such as the chasing arrows triangle, match actual recycling and composting capabilities in Hawaii, and will assess how misleading claims affect consumer decisions and waste management. Key provisions include evaluating specific product types, analyzing differences between home and industrial composting standards, identifying common contaminants caused by unclear labeling, and reviewing existing federal and state guidelines. The Department of Health is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session, potentially including proposed legislation to improve labeling standards.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 184: ESTABLISHING THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This bill establishes a joint legislative working group in Hawaii to study and recommend a statewide mattress stewardship program. The group will include representatives from government agencies, local counties, mattress manufacturers, recyclers, retailers, environmental nonprofits, and consumer advocates. Its task is to evaluate how to manage discarded mattresses and box springs to reduce landfill waste, illegal dumping, and fire risks by designing collection, recycling, and funding systems. The working group must submit its findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by March 2027. This resolution does not create the program itself but sets up a planning process to develop one.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 136: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON RECYCLABLE, BIODEGRADABLE, AND COMPOSTABLE LABELING IN THE STATE TO DETERMINE IF THE LABELING IS ACCURATE AND NON-DECEPTIVE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Health to study how recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable product labels are used in the state to check if they are accurate and not misleading. The study will examine specific products with common symbols like the chasing arrows triangle, evaluate whether labeled items actually break down as claimed, and compare consumer expectations with local recycling and composting capabilities. It will also review existing labeling standards and provide recommendations to improve clarity and reduce contamination in waste streams. The Department of Health must submit its findings and any suggested new guidelines to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 73: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING A FACILITY TO DISCARD LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES.

This Senate Resolution requests the City and County of Honolulu to consider creating a facility for safely discarding lithium-ion batteries, which are currently often disposed of improperly in landfills. The bill aims to reduce fire and explosion hazards and protect environmental resources by establishing a dedicated disposal system, potentially integrated with the existing H-POWER waste energy recovery program. It directs copies of the resolution to state and local officials responsible for energy and waste management to facilitate the county's consideration of this infrastructure development.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 194: ESTABLISHING THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This bill establishes a joint legislative working group to study and design a statewide mattress stewardship program in Hawaii. The group will include government officials, elected representatives, county mayors, and industry stakeholders such as manufacturers, retailers, and recyclers. Its main task is to evaluate how to manage discarded mattresses responsibly by considering collection systems, recycling options, funding methods, and consumer protections. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed laws, to the legislature by the end of 2026. This initiative aims to address environmental concerns related to mattress disposal without creating the program itself.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 40: URGING THE COUNTY OF HAWAII AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ADOPT ORDINANCES BANNING THE SALE, RENTAL, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISPOSABLE BODYBOARDS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the County of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu to pass local laws banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable bodyboards made from polystyrene foam. The bill aims to reduce plastic pollution in Hawaii's marine ecosystems by following the lead of Maui and Kauai counties, which have already implemented similar restrictions. It does not create new laws itself but serves as a formal recommendation for the two counties to adopt their own ordinances. The resolution is intended to help minimize waste and protect the state's shoreline and reefs from discarded foam materials.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Recycling

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 30: URGING THE COUNTY OF HAWAII AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ADOPT ORDINANCES BANNING THE SALE, RENTAL, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISPOSABLE BODYBOARDS.

This Senate Resolution urges the County of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu to pass local laws banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable bodyboards made from polystyrene foam. The bill aims to reduce pollution of Hawaii's reefs and shorelines by preventing single-use foam boards from breaking apart and entering the marine environment. It follows similar bans already adopted by Maui and Kauai counties and seeks to extend this environmental protection to the remaining two counties in the state. The resolution is a non-binding recommendation rather than a law itself, meaning the two targeted counties must still vote to adopt their own ordinances.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 29: ESTABLISHING THE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This bill establishes a joint legislative working group to study and design a statewide mattress stewardship program aimed at reducing landfill waste from discarded mattresses and box springs. The working group will include representatives from state agencies, county governments, mattress industry stakeholders, environmental organizations, and consumer advocates to develop recommendations on program structure, funding, and implementation. The group is tasked with evaluating extended producer responsibility models, collection systems, recycling pathways, and consumer protections, and must submit its findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

All environment bills