SB 1093 Summary

• Establishes a permanent composting grant program within the Hawaii Department of Education to create waste diversion opportunities in schools and engage students in composting and fermentation methods.

• Program aims to develop nutrient-rich soil for school gardens, decrease methane-producing waste sent to landfills, and reduce taxpayer costs of trash hauling.

• Department of Education must develop campus composting guidelines in conjunction with Department of Health rules, covering leachate monitoring, pathogen testing, community involvement, fire safety, material categorization, and volume recording.

• Department shall establish networks with local farms and piggeries to accept surplus food waste and issue grants to schools for composting program implementation, with oversight by the Hawaii Farm to School program.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025; takes effect July 1, 2023.