HB 856 Summary

• Clarifies that composting facilities are excluded from the one-half mile buffer zone requirements that apply to municipal solid waste landfills and construction and demolition landfill units under Hawaii Revised Statutes §342H-52.

• Establishes a new class of "artisan-scale composting operations" exempt from solid waste management facilities permits if sited on industrially or agriculturally zoned land and operated by the waste generator.

• Limits artisan-scale composting operations to accepting no more than one cubic yard of green waste, yard trimmings, agricultural materials, vegetable and fruit waste, or coffee grounds and tea leaves per month on average, with finished compost applied by the same waste generator.

• Requires artisan-scale composting operations to disclose to the department, maintain documentation of compliance, and retain waste on-site no longer than thirty-six months while preventing vectors, dust, or odors that unreasonably impact neighbors.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050.