Hawaii House Bill HB958

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

Relating To Construction Waste.

Impact

The bill's central provisions involve amendments to existing statutes, particularly Chapter 103D of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. It mandates that during the competitive procurement process for construction or demolition services, entities that demonstrate the highest levels of recycling and use of recycled materials will be prioritized. Specifically, it encourages the recycling of nonhazardous construction materials by setting a minimum target for diverting waste—25% for public projects and 20% for private ones—from disposal, thus fostering a more sustainable approach to construction in the state.

Summary

House Bill 958, introduced in the Hawaii Legislature, aims to address the management of construction and demolition waste. The bill emphasizes the necessity to improve recycling practices within the state, highlighting the fact that nearly two thousand tons of such waste are currently deposited in landfills daily. With many of these landfills nearing capacity, the legislation seeks to promote more effective waste diversion methods as a means to protect Hawaii's environment while also providing economic growth opportunities for public and private sector entities involved in waste management.

Contention

While there is broad support for enhancing recycling processes, the bill may face challenges related to enforcement and compliance. Critics may argue that the stipulated recycling targets might impose additional financial burdens on contractors, especially smaller firms that may not have the resources to comply with enhanced standards. Furthermore, concerns could arise about the practicality of documentation processes meant to verify compliance with recycling requirements, possibly complicating the procurement landscape and leading to potential disputes over adherence to the law.