The bill imposes several requirements on manufacturers, primarily focusing on the collaboration to coordinate recycling efforts. It mandates that manufacturers establish free collection service locations accessible to residents in zip codes with populations over 25,000, including specific collection events throughout the year. These stipulations are expected to facilitate better access to recycling services, particularly in areas previously underserved, such as Molokai and regions outside major cities like Kona and Hilo. Thus, the bill is anticipated to increase the overall recycling rate of electronic devices in Hawaii.
SB987 is a bill designed to amend the Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Act in Hawaii, building upon previous changes made by Act 151 in 2022, which sought to enhance the state's electronic waste recycling program. The bill aims to address the slow implementation of recycling measures and aims to increase convenience for residents in disposing of electronic waste. A significant aspect of SB987 is its expansion of the definition of 'covered electronic devices' to include various peripherals and legacy devices, thereby broadening the scope of what must be recycled under the law.
One notable point of contention around SB987 arises from the increased responsibilities and potential penalties for manufacturers failing to meet their recycling goals, which gradually increase from 50% to 70% of the devices sold within certain timeframes. Manufacturers have previously struggled with compliance under Act 151 due to stringent weight targets, creating challenges especially since the average weights of electronic devices have been declining. The bill's acknowledgment of these challenges and its provisions for enhancing collaboration among manufacturers reflect the ongoing debates about balancing regulatory requirements with practical sustainability goals.