HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1585
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
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 growth in global plastic pollution has quadrupled over the past thirty years. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, annual plastics production worldwide more than doubled between 2000 and 2019. In 2019, plastic production levels reached four hundred sixty million tons. Furthermore, in 2019, only five per cent of plastics in the United States were recycled, meaning that most single-use plastics were disposed of in landfills, were incinerated, or became litter in waterways and oceans. Under existing policies and interventions, plastic production is forecast to triple by 2060.

The legislature also finds that over four hundred million tons of plastic are produced annually and that an estimated eight to ten million tons end up in the ocean each year. Moreover, the Eastern Garbage Patch--a collection of litter between Hawaii and California--of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is composed primarily of plastics, more than half of which are less dense than the water. Marine species that encounter the patch often ingest or are ensnared by the plastic litter, causing severe injuries, reproductive failure, or death.

The legislature further finds that plastics are synthetic materials made from polymers that are typically derived from petroleum or natural gas. Polystyrene foam is a major contributor to plastic waste and is composed of nonrecyclable components. Consequently, the composition of this type of plastic limits the methods of post-consumer disposal either to:

(1) Landfills, where the plastics are left to degrade slowly and leach toxic chemicals into the ground; or

(2) Incinerators, where the plastics are burned, releasing toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

Without action, plastic pollution will continue to threaten food safety and quality, imperil human and ecosystem health, and contribute to climate change.

Therefore, to minimize contributions to the plastic pollution crisis, the State needs to urgently explore new solutions and study existing legally binding agreements. For island communities with limited land and resources to meet the levels of plastic waste production, new policies are critical to minimize adverse health impacts on humans and wildlife.

Thus, the purpose of this Act is to reduce plastic waste by, beginning on January 1, 2025:

(1) Prohibiting state agencies from purchasing or using polystyrene food-service containers;

(2) Prohibiting vendors contracted through a state agency from selling, offering for sale, providing, or using polystyrene food-service containers at any site owned or leased by the State; and

(3) Prohibiting polystyrene food-service containers from being sold, offered for sale, provided, or used at any state facility, state-authorized concession, state-sponsored or state-permitted event, or state program.

SECTION 2. Chapter 342H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§342H-    Polystyrene food-service containers; prohibited. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, beginning on January 1, 2025:

(1) No state agency shall purchase or use polystyrene food-service containers;

(2) No vendor contracted through a state agency shall sell, offer for sale, provide, or use polystyrene food-service containers at any site owned or leased by the State; and

(3) No polystyrene food-service container shall be sold, offered for sale, provided, or used at any state facility, state-authorized concession, state-sponsored or state-permitted event, or state program.

(b) As used in this section:

"Concession" has the same meaning as in section 102‑1.

"State agency" means the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of state government, including departments, offices, commissions, boards, or other agencies within the executive, legislative, or judicial branches.

"State facility" means property, including buildings and land, under the management, control, or jurisdiction of the State or an agency of the State."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Polystyrene Food-service Containers; State Agencies, Vendors, Facilities, Concessions, Events, Programs; Prohibition

Description:

Prohibits state agencies from purchasing or using polystyrene food-service containers. Prohibits vendors contracted through a state agency from selling, offering for sale, providing, or using polystyrene food-service containers at any site owned or leased by the State. Prohibits polystyrene food-service containers from being sold, offered for sale, provided, or used at any state facility, state-authorized concession, state-sponsored or state-permitted event, or state program.

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