Environment (Recycling)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2361: RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

SB 2361 prohibits food and beverage service businesses from selling or distributing single-use plastic service ware, such as straws, utensils, and containers. It directly affects restaurants, cafes, and vendors that currently provide these plastic items to customers. The key mechanism bans the sale and distribution of these specific plastic products, requiring businesses to switch to alternatives like compostable or reusable options. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having been introduced on January 21, 2026, and referred to committee for further review.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans single-use plastics (straws, utensils, containers) to reduce solid waste pollution, directly advancing environmental protection by curbing plastic pollution sources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1928: RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING.

HB 1928 would replace the current deposit system for beverage containers with a new program requiring beverage producers to fund recycling. This shifts the financial responsibility from consumers (who currently pay a deposit) to the companies making the drinks. Under the new system, a Producer Responsibility Organization would manage the recycling program instead of the existing state-run deposit program. The bill is currently under committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentShifts beverage container recycling funding to producers, requiring industry responsibility for waste management, aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1652: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Establishes the Climate Change Adaptation Cost Recovery Program within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to secure compensatory payments from historically responsible parties that contributed to pollution, based on a standard of strict liability to provide a source of revenue for climate change adaptive infrastructure projects within the State. Establishes the Climate Change Adaptation Special Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Climate Change Adaptation Special Fund via strict liability payments from polluters, establishing new revenue to fund climate infrastructure projects, advancing fiscal management for essential programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes program to recover costs from polluters for climate adaptation infrastructure funding, advancing environmental protection via strict liability and dedicated fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2196: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Repeals the Deposit Beverage Container program on 6/30/26. Allows redemptions to continue until 6/30/27. Establishes the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund to assist in the gathering and recycling of solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Requires the Department of Health to submit proposed legislation establishing a program to gather and recycle solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Lapses any unencumbered balance remaining in the deposit beverage container deposit special fund when the Deposit Beverage Container program is repealed to the credit of the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes special fund for solar panel and EV battery recycling, supporting renewable energy infrastructure lifecycle management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes solar/ev battery recycling fund, requiring DOH to propose legislation for gathering/recycling, advancing environmental conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Solar Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 538: RELATING TO SOLID WASTE.

Requires municipal solid waste combustor ash to be disposed of only in a lined landfill. Prohibits the reuse of municipal solid waste incinerator ash for uses such as roadbuilding, fill, or construction.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires lined landfills for ash disposal and bans reuse, preventing soil/water contamination from toxic ash, directly protecting environment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 965: RELATING TO MICROPLASTICS.

HB 965 establishes a rebate program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to help businesses and property owners offset costs for installing microplastic filtration systems. The program provides financial rebates for qualifying filtration technology, directly supporting entities that implement these systems to reduce microplastic pollution. Key provisions include administering the rebates through DLNR and setting criteria for eligible filtration equipment. The bill is currently in committee review for the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates DLNR rebate program for microplastic filtration systems to reduce pollution, directly advancing environmental protection through funding and implementation of pollution control measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2586: RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" to include recycling facilities and film production.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly adds recycling facilities to eligible business activities in enterprise zones, promoting environmental recycling initiatives through economic incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 987: RELATING TO RECYCLING.

Allows manufacturers to coordinate activities directly related to the recycling of covered electronic devices. Expands the scope of covered electronic devices to include electronic device peripherals and certain legacy devices. Requires manufacturers to provide free collection service locations and collection events.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands recycling requirements for electronics, promoting waste reduction and resource conservation through manufacturer collection mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 1984: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

By 7/1/2027, requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to establish a self‑certification process for certain behind‑the‑meter, customer‑sited solar distributed energy resource systems that deems permit applications approved and allows applicants to proceed to build solar distributed energy resource systems immediately. Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to develop guidance for determining specific conditions when a Federal Emergency Management Agency-mandated No-Rise Certification is not required for a solar distributed energy resource system located in a regulatory floodway. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines permitting for solar installations, removing barriers to renewable energy adoption through self-certification process for distributed energy systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStreamlines solar permit process to accelerate renewable energy adoption, directly advancing clean energy goals without environmental restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Renewable Energy Solar Recycling

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 391: RELATING TO RECYCLING.

SB 391 establishes a working group to develop a management plan for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (used in devices like phones and electric vehicles), directly affecting battery recyclers, manufacturers, and waste management entities. The working group will create a report for the Legislature by January 2026, outlining strategies for safe collection, recycling, and disposal of these batteries. The bill does not impose new regulations but sets up a process to address growing battery waste challenges. It is currently pending committee review and has not yet become law. The effective date (1/1/2026) applies to the report submission, not the bill's implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates working group to develop battery recycling management plan, directly addressing end-of-life waste pollution and promoting safe disposal strategies for environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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