HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1507

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that consumers in Hawaii use over 300,000,000 single-use plastic bags per year and these bags are one of the most common forms of litter in the State.  These lightweight bags blow out of trash receptacles and landfills onto the land and into the ocean.  Many different marine species are endangered by plastic bags, such as sea turtles, sea birds, and monk seals.  Although single-use plastic bags are used on average for fewer than fifteen minutes, they remain as part of the environment for decades, because they are manufactured from fossil fuels and never truly degrade, breaking down only into toxic microplastics.

     In addition, single-use plastic bags have created blight on Hawaii's natural beauty and an economic burden for the counties to clean up.  Less than five per cent of plastic bags are ever recycled.  Furthermore, these bags contaminate the waste stream and need to be removed at recycling centers, where they often clog the machines.

     Although the use of reusable bags has increased, some retailers still provide paper bags for consumers to carry their purchases.  However, paper bags cost retailers significantly more than plastic bags.

     In an effort to deal with the environmental and economic problems caused by single-use plastic bags, all of Hawaii's counties have enacted ordinances prohibiting the distribution of these bags at many retail points of sale.  However, differences exist between the various county ordinances.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a working group to study various methods to reduce the use of all disposable bags, including single-use plastic bags and paper bags.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of health shall convene a working group to study various methods to reduce the use of all disposable bags, including single-use plastic bags and paper bags, such as by:

     (1)  Increasing the use of reusable bags; and

     (2)  Assessing a fee on all disposable bags, whether paper or plastic, to help offset costs for retailers.

     (b)  The working group shall be chaired by the head of the office of solid waste management of the department of health and shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  A representative of the city and county of Honolulu, to be appointed by the mayor;

     (2)  A representative of the county of Hawaii, to be appointed by the mayor;

     (3)  A representative of the county of Maui, to be appointed by the mayor;

     (4)  A representative of the county of Kauai, to be appointed by the mayor;

     (5)  A representative of the department of business, economic development, and tourism, to be appointed by the director of business, economic development, and tourism;

     (6)  A representative from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and

     (7)  A representative from the Hawaii Food Industry Association.

     (c)  The head of the office of solid waste management of the department of health shall also invite members of environmental organizations and business organizations to participate as members of the working group.

     (d)  No member of the working group shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the working group.

     (e)  The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature by November 30, 2015.  The report shall be prepared by the department of health.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.


 


 

Report Title:

Working Group; Reduction in the Use of Disposable Bags

 

Description:

Establishes a working group to study methods to reduce the use of all disposable bags.  (HB1507 HD2)

 

 

 

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