SB 2101: Department of Health; Counties; Solid Waste Reduction; Organic Waste Diversion

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

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

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that although the State did not reach mandates established in 1991 under section 342G-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to reduce the solid waste stream by fifty per cent by 2000, the aloha+ challenge established a goal to reduce the solid waste stream prior to disposal by seventy per cent by 2030 through source reduction, recycling, bioconversion, and landfill diversion methods for organic waste.

     The legislature further finds that county integrated solid waste management plans must be submitted to the department of health every ten years pursuant to section 342G-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to meet United Nations Sustainable Development and aloha+ challenge goals related to waste reduction by embedding similar goals into the integrated solid waste management plan components for the counties to assess and identify benchmarks to reduce solid waste production and increase organic waste diversion, while accounting for existing county integrated solid waste management plan timelines.

     SECTION 2.  Section 342G-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  It is the goal of the State to reduce the solid waste stream [prior to] before disposal by:

     (1)  [Twenty-five] Forty per cent by January 1, [1995;] 2038; and

     (2)  [Fifty] Seventy per cent by January 1, [2000;] 2043,

through source reduction, recycling, organic waste landfill diversion, and bioconversion.  Where feasible, the office shall establish other state goals for specific commodities, recognizing market considerations.

     (b)  It is the goal of the State to reduce [by not less than twenty-five per cent the amount of office paper generated by all state and county agencies by January 1, 1995, through source reduction.  The base year for calculating progress toward this goal shall be total office paper consumption by state and county agencies in 1990.] organic waste stream disposal via incineration, waste-to-energy, or landfill by:

     (1)  Forty per cent by January 1, 2038;

     (2)  Seventy per cent by January 1, 2043; and

     (3)  One hundred per cent by January 1, 2048."

     SECTION 3.  Section 342G-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The recycling [and], bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component shall identify and assess:

     (1)  The level of waste reduction the county is achieving through existing recycling and bioconversion efforts;

     (2)  The type and amount of solid waste that it is technically and economically feasible to recycle or alter through bioconversion; [and]

     (3)  Methods to increase and improve [the] recycling and bioconversion efforts, including opportunities for backyard composting[.]; and

     (4)  Methods to achieve organic waste stream reduction goals pursuant to section 342G-3(b); provided that the methods shall account for reducing potential risk of transporting invasive species in organic waste.

          For the purposes of this paragraph, "organic waste" means any material that is compostable, does not contain contaminants detrimental to human health and the environment, and is derived from either a plant or an animal, and includes green waste, food waste, food‑soiled paper that is acceptable for food storage, and untreated and unpainted wood waste.

     For recycling, the counties shall assess the type and amount of solid waste that it is technically feasible to recycle, giving consideration at a minimum to clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, mixed paper, corrugated paper, HDPE, PET, and green waste.

     For bioconversion, the counties shall assess the type and amount of solid waste that it is technically feasible to alter through bioconversion, giving consideration at a minimum to green waste, wood waste, animal manure, sewage sludge, and food wastes."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Department of Health; Counties; Solid Waste Reduction; Organic Waste Diversion

Description:

Updates and establishes additional statewide goals for solid waste stream and organic waste stream diversion.  Requires the recycling, bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component to identify and assess methods to achieve certain organic waste stream reduction goals.  (CD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

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

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that although the State did not reach mandates established in 1991 under section 342G-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to reduce the solid waste stream by fifty per cent by 2000, the aloha+ challenge established a goal to reduce the solid waste stream prior to disposal by seventy per cent by 2030 through source reduction, recycling, bioconversion, and landfill diversion methods for organic waste.

     The legislature further finds that county integrated solid waste management plans must be submitted to the department of health every ten years pursuant to section 342G-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to meet United Nations Sustainable Development and aloha+ challenge goals related to waste reduction by embedding similar goals into the integrated solid waste management plan components for the counties to assess and identify benchmarks to reduce solid waste production and increase organic waste diversion, while accounting for existing county integrated solid waste management plan timelines.

     SECTION 2.  Section 342G-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  It is the goal of the State to reduce the solid waste stream [prior to] before disposal by:

     (1)  [Twenty-five] Forty per cent by January 1, [1995;] 2038; and

     (2)  [Fifty] Seventy per cent by January 1, [2000;] 2043,

through source reduction, recycling, organic waste landfill diversion, and bioconversion.  Where feasible, the office shall establish other state goals for specific commodities, recognizing market considerations.

     (b)  It is the goal of the State to reduce [by not less than twenty-five per cent the amount of office paper generated by all state and county agencies by January 1, 1995, through source reduction.  The base year for calculating progress toward this goal shall be total office paper consumption by state and county agencies in 1990.] organic waste stream disposal via incineration, waste-to-energy, or landfill by:

     (1)  Forty per cent by January 1, 2038;

     (2)  Seventy per cent by January 1, 2043; and

     (3)  One hundred per cent by January 1, 2048."

     SECTION 3.  Section 342G-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The recycling [and], bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component shall identify and assess:

     (1)  The level of waste reduction the county is achieving through existing recycling and bioconversion efforts;

     (2)  The type and amount of solid waste that it is technically and economically feasible to recycle or alter through bioconversion; [and]

     (3)  Methods to increase and improve [the] recycling and bioconversion efforts, including opportunities for backyard composting[.]; and

     (4)  Methods to achieve organic waste stream reduction goals pursuant to section 342G-3(a); provided that the methods shall account for reducing potential risk of transporting invasive species in organic waste.

          For the purposes of this paragraph, "organic waste" means any material that is compostable, does not contain contaminants detrimental to human health and the environment, and is derived from either a plant or an animal, and includes green waste, food waste, food-soiled paper that is acceptable for food storage, and untreated and unpainted wood waste.

     For recycling, the counties shall assess the type and amount of solid waste that it is technically feasible to recycle, giving consideration at a minimum to clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, mixed paper, corrugated paper, HDPE, PET, and green waste.

     For bioconversion, the counties shall assess the type and amount of solid waste that it is technically feasible to alter through bioconversion, giving consideration at a minimum to green waste, wood waste, animal manure, sewage sludge, and food wastes."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Health; Counties; Solid Waste Reduction; Organic Waste Diversion; Appropriation

Description:

Updates and establishes additional statewide goals for solid waste stream and organic waste stream diversion.  Requires the recycling, bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component to identify and assess methods to achieve certain organic waste stream reduction goals.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

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

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State did not reach mandates established by Act 324, Session Laws of Hawaii 1991, to reduce the solid waste stream by fifty per cent by 2000.  The legislature also finds that the Aloha+ Challenge established the goal to reduce by seventy per cent the solid waste stream prior to disposal by 2030 through source reduction, recycling, bioconversion, and landfill diversion methods for organic waste.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to meet United Nations Sustainable Development and Aloha+ Challenge goals related to waste reduction by embedding similar goals and further benchmarks into the integrated solid waste management plan components for the counties to assess and identify benchmarks to reduce solid waste production and increase organic waste diversion.

     SECTION 2.  Section 342G-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  It is the goal of the State to reduce the solid waste stream [prior to] before disposal by:

     (1)  [Twenty-five] Forty per cent by January 1, [1995;] 2028; and

     (2)  [Fifty] Seventy per cent by January 1, [2000;] 2033;

through source reduction, recycling, organic waste landfill diversion, and bioconversion.  Where feasible, the office shall establish other state goals for specific commodities, recognizing market considerations.

     (b)  It is the goal of the State to reduce [by not less than twenty-five per cent the amount of office paper generated by all state and county agencies by January 1, 1995, through source reduction.  The base year for calculating progress toward this goal shall be total office paper consumption by state and county agencies in 1990.] organic waste stream disposal via incineration, waste-to-energy, or landfill by:

     (1)  Forty per cent by January 1, 2028;

     (2)  Seventy per cent by January 1, 2033; and

     (3)  One hundred per cent by January 1, 2038."

     SECTION 3.  Section 342G-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The recycling [and], bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component shall identify and assess:

     (1)  The level of waste reduction the county is achieving through existing recycling and bioconversion efforts;

     (2)  The type and amount of solid waste that it is technically and economically feasible to recycle or alter through bioconversion; [and]

     (3)  Methods to increase and improve the recycling and bioconversion efforts, including opportunities for backyard composting[.]; and

     (4)  Benchmark goals to divert organic waste produced within the county by facilities generating more than a minimum amount, as follows:

          (A)  January 1, 2028:  (Tier 1) All wholesale food vendors, food service providers, food distributors, grocery stores greater than ten thousand square feet, supermarkets, hotels, and any entity generating one ton per week or one hundred four tons per year or more;

          (B)  January 1, 2033:  (Tier 2) All restaurants, local education agencies, large venues and event spaces, state agencies, health facilities, and any entity generating one half ton per week or twenty-six tons per year or more;

          (C)  January 1, 2037:  Any multifamily complexes and any entity generating one third ton per week or eighteen tons per year or more; and

          (D)  January 1, 2038: Organic wastes shall be banned from landfills and co-generation plants, including that produced by single-family residences.

          For the purposes of this paragraph:

               "Biodegradable" means capable of being broken down or decomposed into carbon dioxide, methane, or simpler organic compounds by bacteria or other living organisms; and

               "Organic waste" means any material that is compostable or biodegradable and is derived from either a plant or an animal, and includes green waste, food waste, food-soiled paper that is acceptable for food storage, and untreated and unpainted wood waste.

     For recycling, the counties shall assess the type and amount of solid waste that it is technically feasible to recycle, giving consideration at a minimum to clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, mixed paper, corrugated paper, HDPE, PET, and green waste.

     For bioconversion, the counties shall assess the type and amount of solid waste that it is technically feasible to alter through bioconversion, giving consideration at a minimum to green waste, wood waste, animal manure, sewage sludge, and food wastes."

     SECTION 4.  Each county shall incorporate the new requirement established by section 3 of this Act into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision for submission to the office of solid waste management pursuant to section 342G-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of health to reimburse the counties for incorporation of the new requirements under this Act into their respective integrated solid waste management plan revisions as required by this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Department of Health; Counties; Solid Waste Reduction; Organic Waste Diversion; Benchmarks; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion.  Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to reduce all organic waste produced within the county by facilities generating more than a specified amount of organic waste per year in alignment with established state benchmarks.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to organic waste.

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

SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State did not reach mandates established by Act 324, Session Laws of Hawaii 1991, to reduce the solid waste stream by fifty per cent by 2000.  The legislature also finds that the Aloha+ Challenge established the goal to reduce by seventy per cent the solid waste stream prior to disposal by 2030 through source reduction, recycling, bioconversion, and landfill diversion methods for organic waste.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to meet United Nations Sustainable Development and Aloha+ Challenge goals related to waste reduction by embedding similar goals and further benchmarks into statute to track and require progress toward reducing solid waste production and increasing organic waste diversion.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§342G-    Benchmarks.  It is the goal of the State to reduce the solid waste stream prior to disposal by requiring organic waste generators to divert material to any certified facility within twenty miles by:

     (1)  January 1, 2028:  (Tier 1) All wholesale food vendors, food service providers, food distributors, grocery stores greater than ten thousand square feet, supermarkets, hotels, and any entity generating one ton per week or one hundred four tons per year or more;

     (2)  January 1, 2033:  (Tier 2) All restaurants, local education agencies, large venues and event spaces, state agencies, health facilities, and any entity generating one half ton per week or twenty-six tons per year or more;

     (3)  January 1, 2037:  Any multifamily complexes and any entity generating one third ton per week or eighteen tons per year or more; and

     (4)  January 1, 2038: Organic wastes shall be banned from landfills and co-generation plants, including that produced by single family residences."

     SECTION 3.  Section 342G-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Biodegradable" means capable of being broken down or decomposed into carbon dioxide, methane, or simpler organic compounds by bacteria or other living organisms.

     "Organic waste" means any material that is compostable or biodegradable and is derived from either a plant or an animal, and includes green waste, food waste, food-soiled paper that is acceptable for food storage, and untreated and unpainted wood waste."

     SECTION 4.  Section 342G-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  It is the goal of the State to reduce the solid waste stream prior to disposal by:

     (1)  [Twenty-five] Forty per cent by January 1, [1995;] 2028; and

     (2)  [Fifty] Seventy per cent by January 1, [2000;] 2033;

through source reduction, recycling, organic waste landfill diversion, and bioconversion.  Where feasible, the office shall establish other state goals for specific commodities, recognizing market considerations.

     (b)  It is the goal of the State to reduce [by not less than twenty-five per cent the amount of office paper generated by all state and county agencies by January 1, 1995, through source reduction.  The base year for calculating progress toward this goal shall be total office paper consumption by state and county agencies in 1990.] organic waste stream disposal via incineration, waste-to-energy, or landfill by:

     (1)  Forty per cent by January 1, 2028;

     (2)  Seventy per cent by January 1, 2033; and

     (3)  One hundred per cent by January 1, 2038."

     SECTION 5.  Section 342G-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The recycling [and], bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component shall identify and assess:

     (1)  The level of waste reduction the county is achieving through existing recycling and bioconversion efforts;

     (2)  The type and amount of solid waste that it is technically and economically feasible to recycle or alter through bioconversion; [and]

     (3)  Methods to increase and improve the recycling and bioconversion efforts, including opportunities for backyard composting[.]; and

     (4)  Diversion of all organic waste produced within the county by facilities generating more than a minimum amount, as established in section 342G-  .

     For recycling, the counties shall assess the type and amount of solid waste that it is technically feasible to recycle, giving consideration at a minimum to clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, high-grade office paper, newsprint, mixed paper, corrugated paper, HDPE, PET, and green waste.

     For bioconversion, the counties shall assess the type and amount of solid waste that it is technically feasible to alter through bioconversion, giving consideration at a minimum to green waste, wood waste, animal manure, sewage sludge, and food wastes."

     SECTION 6.  Each county shall incorporate the new requirement established by section 4 of this Act into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision for submission to the office of solid waste management pursuant to section 342G-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 7.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of health to reimburse the counties for incorporation of the new requirements under this Act into their respective integrated solid waste management plan revisions as required by this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 8.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 9.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Department of Health; Counties; Solid Waste Reduction; Organic Waste Diversion; Benchmarks; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion.  Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to reduce all organic waste produced within the county by facilities generating more than a specified amount of organic waste per year in alignment with established state benchmarks.  Appropriates funds.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2774

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2101

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2101, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce the amount of waste disposited into the State's landfills.

     Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Establishes new statewide goals for the reduction of solid waste and organic waste;

     (2)  Requires each county to incorporate into its integrated solid waste management plan benchmark goals to divert organic waste produced within the county by facilities that generate more than certain amounts of organic waste, and to incorporate those benchmark goals into the county's next integrated solid waste management plan revision; and

     (3)  Appropriates moneys.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farmers Union and three individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that existing landfill space is rapidly decreasing and that, as an island state, Hawaii has limited land available upon which to establish new landfills.  The goals required by this measure will help the State and counties enact policies that reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2101, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2482

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2101

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2101 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion;

     (2)  Require each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to reduce all organic waste produced within the county by facilities generating more than a specified amount of organic waste per year in alignment with established state benchmarks; and

     (3)  Appropriate funds.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Solid Waste Reduction Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents, and two individuals.

     Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Environmental Management of the County of Hawaii.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committees find that every county in the State faces limited landfill capacity and struggles to site potential future landfills, making waste reduction an urgent priority.  Solid and organic waste produced in the State, which is deposited into landfills are significant generators of greenhouse gases, directly impeding the State's ability to achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.  To further the State's commitment to climate mitigation policies, this measure will assist in reducing solid waste production and increasing organic waste diversion.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting language that would have established a new section in the Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter relating to Integrated Solid Waste Management, and instead inserting language into section 342G-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to require the recycling and bioconversion component of the waste stream assessment to identify and assess the timelines and benchmark goals to divert organic waste produced within the county by facilities generating organic waste;

     (2)  Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose;

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2101, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2101, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,