Bill > SB676

This bill establishes a comprehensive plan to reduce organic waste in Hawaii by creating a phased approach to diverting biodegradable materials from landfills. The legislation sets increasingly stringent benchmarks for different types of businesses and organizations to separate and divert organic waste, starting with large food vendors and distributors in 2026, expanding to restaurants and educational agencies in 2030, and eventually including multifamily complexes by 2034. By 2035, the bill will completely ban organic waste from landfills and co-generation plants, including waste from single-family homes. The bill defines "organic waste" as compostable materials from plants or animals, such as green waste, food waste, and untreated wood. It also updates the state's existing waste reduction goals, increasing the target from 25% to 40% waste reduction by 2026 and from 50% to 70% by 2030. To support implementation, the bill requires counties to incorporate these new organic waste diversion requirements into their solid waste management plans and provides state funding to help counties adapt to the new regulations. The overall goal is to align with the Aloha+ Challenge and United Nations Sustainable Development goals for waste reduction and environmental sustainability.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=676&year=2026