HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2141

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to recycling in schools.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that according to Edutopia and the George Lucas Educational Foundation, many students and teachers across the nation are actively involved in earth-friendly ventures and for many schools, the recycling program is first on the agenda.  In some places, however, recycling is still very difficult to do, or even unheard of, and Edutopia is currently conducting a poll on the status of recycling programs in America's schools, including what can be done to increase their size and scope.

     The legislature further finds that the United States Environmental Protection Agency has noted that every ton of paper recycled would save enough energy to power the average American home for six months, save 7,000 gallons of water, save 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent.  In addition, recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light a sixty watt bulb for up to six hours, and recycling one ton of plastic saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space.     RecycleNow Schools, in a 2007 study in England, found that on average, primary schools generated forty-five kilograms (about ninety-nine pounds) of waste per pupil per academic year, and secondary schools, twenty-two kilograms (forty-nine pounds) per pupil per academic year, primarily of food and paper waste.

     The Environmental Protection Agency promotes recycling to reduce the amount of energy used to make materials and products, which in turn drastically reduces the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere.  Education World, a provider of learning management solutions, found that schools that have implemented recycling programs have saved the school and school district money, by avoiding unnecessary disposal costs.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to assist public schools statewide in adopting and implementing comprehensive campus recycling policies.

     SECTION 2.  The department of education shall assist public schools statewide in adopting and implementing comprehensive campus recycling policies.  The department shall review current recycling policies and implementation, including the costs and savings associated with the recycling activities.

     The department of education shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2011 on the status of campus recycling policies statewide, proposed additional or revised recycling options, and anticipated costs and savings associated with the additional or revised options.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Public Schools; Recycling; Keiki Caucus

 

Description:

Requires the department of education to assist public schools statewide in adopting and implementing comprehensive campus recycling policies; requires report to 2011 legislature.

 

 

 

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