STAND. COM. REP. 3369

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.R. No. 97

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Health, to which was referred S.R. No. 97 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH to report on the backhaul of shipping materials and pallets by large "big box" retailers and wholesalers,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to report on the backhaul of shipping materials and pallets by large "big box" retailers and wholesalers.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Food Industry Association. Comments were received from the Department of Health.

Your Committees find that the State must focus on solid waste management issues in order to avert a health and environmental catastrophe. Recycling and all other current initiatives do not divert a sufficient amount of solid waste to meaningfully extend the life of the State's landfills.

Your Committees believe that large "big box" retailers and wholesalers are in the best position to absorb the cost of back hauling and should do their part in sending their packaging material back to the place of origin or to recycling centers.

Your Committees have amended this measure by requesting the Department of Health to work with the Hawaii Food Industry Association in determining the feasibility of this requirement.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 97, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 97, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Health,

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

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J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair