STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1629-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 205

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 205 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON RECYCLABLE, BIODEGRADABLE, AND COMPOSTABLE LABELING IN THE STATE TO DETERMINE IF THE LABELING IS ACCURATE AND NON-DECEPTIVE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to:

(1) Conduct a study on recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable labeling in the State to determine if the labeling is accurate and non-deceptive; and

(2) Submit a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Consumer Technology Association.

Your Committee finds that consumers rely on certain labeling, including the "chasing arrows" triangle and biodegradable and compostable claims, to make recycling and composting decisions. Your Committee further finds that such labeling has been a source of confusion for consumers and has contributed to high rates of contamination, where items that are generally recyclable are mixed with items that cannot be recycled. Your Committee recognizes that sorting through contaminated items is costly and leads to most items being sent to landfills. This measure encourages the evaluation of recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable labeling in order to determine whether the labeling is accurate and recommend standards or guidelines to improve clarity, reduce contamination, and improve recycling and composting rates.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 205 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair