Bill Text: HI HB786 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating To The Food Waste Recycling.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [HB786 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-HB786-Introduced.html

---

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	786
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the food waste recycling.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that annual food waste in Hawaii is about thirty-three per cent higher than in other states.  Hawaii wastes an average of 522,800,000 pounds of food per year, accounting for twenty-six per cent of the State's total food supply.  City and County of Honolulu ordinance 96-20 requires hotels, restaurants, food courts, grocery stores, hospitals, food manufacturers, and food processors to recycle food waste, so most of the food in Oahu's landfills comes from residential sources.  The legislature recognizes that, when not recycled or composted, food waste produces methane gas, which causes significant environmental damage.

     The legislature finds that residential food waste has been successfully addressed in South Korea, where approximately ninety-five per cent of the country's food waste is recycled.  Many homes in South Korea use biodegradable bags or "smart" composting bins for food scraps, and food waste is converted into compost, animal feed, or biofuel.  South Korea estimates that the food waste recycling program will ultimately save the government billions of dollars in waste disposal costs, and the negative environmental impacts of the country's food waste have been largely reduced.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to study the feasibility of designing and implementing a similar food waste recycling program in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the office of planning for administrative purposes the food waste recycling task force to provide recommendations on the recycling, composting, and safe disposal of residential food waste.

     (b)  The task force shall comprise the following members:

     (1)  A representative from the department of health;

     (2)  A representative from the department of environmental services;

     (3)  The animal science swine specialist from the university of Hawaii;

     (4)  A representative from the university of Hawaii economic research organization;

     (5)  The chair of the house committee on energy and environmental protection; and

     (6)  The chair of the senate committee on energy, economic development, tourism, and technology.

     (c)  Representatives from the following organizations shall be invited to participate by the chair of the task force:

     (1)  The Hawaii Food Bank;

     (2)  Eco Feed, Inc.; and

     (3)  Restaurants 4 Renewables.

     (d)  The task force shall select a chairperson from among its members.

     (e)  The task force shall study the feasibility of developing a statewide residential food waste recyclizing and safe disposal program, including:

     (1)  The feasibility of repurposing food waste into compost, animal feed or biofuel;

     (2)  Recommendations of any technology and equipment that could be used for processing and recycling residential food waste;

     (3)  The estimated costs and cost savings of a food waste recycling program; and

     (4)  The anticipated environmental impact of food waste recycling.

     (f)  The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022.

     (g)  The members of the task force shall serve without compensation and shall receive no reimbursement for expenses.

     (h)  The members of the task force shall not be considered employees for the purposes of chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, based solely upon their participation in the task force.

     (i)  The task force shall dissolve upon adjournment sine die of the regular session of 2022.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

OP; Task Force; Food Waste Recycling Program

 

Description:

Establishes a task force in the office of planning to study the feasibility of developing and implementing a food waste recycling and safe disposal program.  Requires a report to the legislature.

 

 

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