Composting Legistlation in Hawai’i
Learn more about the policy related to composting in Hawai’i, the issues, and why we need change.
Composting Policy
2021 legislative session
HB 1349, HB856/SB964, HB861, and SB 587
The 2021 legislative session included several bills on composting. These bills addressed the problem within the Department of Health (DOH) rules that required the same level of permitting for all types of composting from school lunches to county-wide projects. The bills addressed this by amending the current laws to account for different sized composting projects.
Testimony Key Points
The average household wastes 40% of purchased food and waste audits show food waste is about 30% for most institutions.
Food waste creates more greenhouse gases when landfilled or burned than when composted.
Local compost can avoid imports of fertilizers and help us build up our local soil health and agriculture.
Composting projects in the Hawaiʻi are held back by the Department of Health application and permitting requirements. The laws around composting have strict requirements for projects of any size.
Personal experiences or knowledge regarding compost are also good to add!
