HB 1684 Summary

• Establishes a packaging stewardship program within the Department of Health requiring producers to pay fees based on packaging material weight sold in Hawaii, shifting recycling costs from taxpayers to manufacturers.

• Requires the Department of Health to contract with a packaging stewardship organization by January 1, 2023, to administer the program through a ten-year contract covering producer payments, county reimbursements, and infrastructure investments.

• Exempts producers with less than $2,000,000 annual revenue, less than one ton of packaging material annually, or more than 50% revenue from salvage/closeout sales; low-volume producers (1-15 tons) may pay a flat fee capped at $7,500 annually.

• Allows participating counties to receive reimbursements for recycling and waste management costs based on the weight and type of packaging material managed, with preference for readily recyclable materials.

• Requires stewardship organization funding for education and infrastructure investments proportional to payments received for non-recyclable packaging, with retailers prohibited from selling products from non-compliant producers after one year.