Bill Text: HI HCR155 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requesting A Study On The Feasibility Of Using Reusable Cutlery And Flatware At Public Schools.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-03-13 - Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 39 [HCR155 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-HCR155-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	155
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF USING REUSABLE CUTLERY AND FLATWARE AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii is committed to sustainability and the preservation of our natural environment and resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education is committed to fostering values in Hawaii's students consistent with the State of Hawaii's goals regarding preservation and sustainability; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education strives to make cost-conscious decisions when considering improving student learning environments; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education schools currently use single-use plates and single-use plastic eating utensils; and

 

     WHEREAS, utilizing reusable cutlery can result in environmental benefits such as reduced waste and greenhouse gas emissions; and

 

     WHEREAS, utilizing reusable cutlery as opposed to disposable cutlery reduces overall cost to schools and removes the need for disposables to be regularly transported to and unpacked at schools; and

 

     WHEREAS, the environmental impact of utilizing reusable cutlery at two middle schools in Minnetonka, Minnesota included the prevention of approximately 6,000 pounds of on-site solid waste in the first year, and the schools collectively saved approximately $3,000 by buying reusable utensils and bowls, lowering the annual per student costs for food-ware from $6.89 to $4.83; and

 

     WHEREAS, a study of the feasibility of switching to reusable cutlery and flatware could potentially result in long-term cost savings for Department of Education schools; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the Senate concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to conduct a feasibility study on switching from single-use plastic eating utensils to reusable cutlery at Department of Education schools, including the costs and potential savings for using reusable food-ware; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to cooperate with the Legislative Reference Bureau and to provide whatever information, assistance, and support may be requested by the Bureau; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2019; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, and the Superintendent of Education.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Reusable Cutlery, DOE, Legislative Reference Bureau