Bill Text: HI SB2554 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating To Plastic Pollution.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-24 - Referred to AEN/WTL, JDC. [SB2554 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2554-Introduced.html

---

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2554
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to plastic pollution.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the wasteful use of plastics continues to threaten the State's health and environment.  According to the United Nations Environment Programme, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute and over five trillion plastic bags are used annually.  Many of these plastic products are designed for single-use and approximately sixty per cent of all plastic products produced since 1950 have eventually ended up in landfills or natural environments.

     The legislature further finds that Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution, which pose a threat to the State's unique natural environments and vital tourism sector.  In January of 2020, the Guardian named Kamilo Beach on the island of Hawaii as one of the most plastic-polluted places on the globe and in July of the same year, the Environmental Protection Agency deemed the beach to be contaminated by the high volumes of plastic waste.

     The legislature further finds that the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation with the United Nations Environment Programme offers viable goals for the State to reduce its reliance on single-use plastic products and limit the production of plastic waste.  The Global Commitment aims to accomplish those goals by eliminating unnecessary plastic packaging and products; encouraging reuse; incentivizing reusable, recyclable, and compostable packaging; increasing collection and sorting of waste; stimulating demand for recycled plastics; and supporting social and behavioral change.  Additionally, as a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the State's next step toward greater sustainability includes the Global Commitment for a New Plastics Economy.

     The purpose of this Act is to implement a new plastics economy in which plastics are circulated through reuse and recycling processes instead of being deposited in landfills or natural environments.  By adhering to the Global Commitment, the State can substantially reduce its reliance on single-use plastic products and limit the amount of plastic waste produced by the State.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§226-    New plastics economy; global commitment; goals; report.  (a)  The State shall endorse the Global Commitment common vision, as defined by the United Nations Environment Programme.

     (b)  In pursuance of the State's endorsement of the Global Commitment, and notwithstanding any law to the contrary, all agencies shall, insofar as practicable, take action to assist the State in developing a new plastics circular economy, as defined by the United Nations Environment Programme New Plastics Economy Global Commitment.

     (c)  The office of planning and sustainable development shall develop and publish meaningful targets to achieve the following goals:

     (1)  Stimulating the elimination of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and products;

     (2)  Encouraging reuse models where relevant, to reduce the need for single-use plastic packaging and products;

     (3)  Incentivizing the use of reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging;

     (4)  Increasing collection, sorting, reuse, and recycling rates, and facilitating the establishment of the necessary infrastructure and related funding mechanisms;

     (5)  Stimulating the demand for recycled plastics while avoiding down-cycling into uses that may exacerbate leaking of secondary plastics into the environment; and

     (6)  Supporting social and behavioral change through strategic communication to address plastic pollution.

     (d)  The office of planning and sustainable development shall report annually to the legislature and the United Nations Environment Programme on the State's progress toward the specified targets and implement rules as necessary to ensure transparency and public accountability, including through the public communication channels of the Global Commitment.

     (e)  The office of planning and sustainable development shall collaborate with relevant private sector entities to effectuate the purpose of this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

New Plastics Economy; Global Commitment; Circular Economy; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development

 

Description:

Endorses the Global Commitment outlined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and United Nations Environment Programme and directs the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to set targets and implement policies to achieve the goals of the Global Commitment.

 

 

 

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