Hawaii House Bill HB1264

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/27/25

Caption

Relating To Waste Management.

Impact

If enacted, HB1264 will significantly alter existing waste management practices across the state. The bill mandates that counties create detailed needs assessments to report the resources required to achieve substantial reductions in landfilled packaging waste — aimed at a 50% to 80% cut by a specified date determined by administrative rules. This means counties will need to evaluate and address their waste disposal methods specifically regarding packaging waste from consumer goods. Furthermore, a significant fund will be established to facilitate these initiatives and promote waste reduction projects and programs statewide.

Summary

House Bill 1264 aims to establish an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program in Hawaii to mitigate the impact of consumer goods packaging waste on the environment. This bill seeks to redefine waste management responsibilities by requiring producers of fast-moving consumer goods to register with the Department of Health and pay an annual fee based on the packaging volume they place on the market. The underlying goal is to shift a portion of the waste management costs from taxpayers to the manufacturers, thereby creating a more sustainable approach to dealing with packaging waste.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill provides a necessary framework to address Hawaii's unique environmental challenges, including plastic pollution and ineffective recycling efforts, opponents may raise concerns regarding the financial burden it places on businesses and potentially the costs passed on to consumers. Striking a balance between environmental goals and economic feasibility remains a central point of discussion as stakeholders evaluate the implications of implementing an extended producer responsibility policy in the state.