HI SR141

Department of Health requested to convene a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group to address construction and demolition waste, which constitutes 21-40% of landfill mass nationwide and represents a major contributor to solid waste in Hawaii.

Working group tasked with identifying solutions to reduce construction and demolition waste, scaling deconstruction and materials reuse, supporting circular construction economy growth, ensuring alignment with Hawaii's 2045 carbon neutrality goal, and creating policy and economic incentive frameworks.

Working group membership to include Director of Health, Comptroller, and private sector representatives from construction, demolition/deconstruction, reuse retail, real estate development, historic preservation, architecture, urban planning, and waste management industries, plus community groups focused on workforce development, public policy, and environmental justice.

Working group directed to explore best practices from circular economy programs in other regions such as Denmark and the Netherlands, and focus on policy innovation and cross-industry collaboration to address landfill capacity pressures and environmental justice concerns.

Working group required to submit annual reports of findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to each regular session.