Report Title:

Food Waste Recycling; Solid Waste

 

Description:

Requires the department of education, in a partnership with the department of health, to establish a three-year food waste recycling pilot project in one or more public schools.  Allows departments to enter into public/private partnerships to establish and operate the pilot program.  Appropriates funds for the pilot program.  (CD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

871

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 2

 

C.D. 1

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO FOOD WASTE RECYCLING.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that waste disposal is an issue of critical importance throughout the islands.  Section 226-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, declares that "it shall be the policy of this State to . . . [p]romote re-use and recycling to reduce solid and liquid wastes and employ a conservation ethic."

     The legislature further finds that state facilities and public schools are among the largest institutional sources of food waste, in spite of current recycling efforts.  Despite statewide policies, recycling efforts still reduce only a fraction of the solid and liquid waste generated.  Landfills on all islands are approaching or have already reached their maximum capacity, and both the expansion of current landfills and relocation efforts are meeting widespread community opposition.

     Food waste recycling falls within the program elements of the integrated solid waste management plans under chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a three-year pilot project in one or more schools, to be selected by the department of education and in partnership with the department of health, for recycling food waste as part of the State's integrated solid waste management plans under chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of education, in partnership with the department of health, shall develop and implement a three-year food waste recycling pilot project in one or more schools that is in accordance with chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes. 

     The program sites shall be determined by the department of education as those most suitable in meeting the pilot project's objectives.

     The department of health shall cooperate with the department of education to develop and implement the components of the pilot project.

     (b)  In developing and implementing the pilot project, the department of education and the department of health shall consider using public-private partnerships and are encouraged to seek and use public-private sector funding support.

     (c)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of education and the department of health may accept and expend private monetary donations to develop and operate the pilot project required by this section.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State, the sum of $25,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to develop and implement a three-year food waste recycling pilot project in one or more public schools.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The department of education, with the assistance of the department of health, shall submit interim reports on the pilot project to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2009 and 2010, and a final report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2011.  The reports shall include information and recommendations about the efficacy of and the costs associated with the food waste recycling pilot project.  The final report shall also include a recommendation on whether the food waste recycling pilot project should be made permanent.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2011.