REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A DEMOLITION WASTE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP.

SR159

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

159

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the office of planning and sustainable
development to convene a demolition waste reduction working group
.

����
WHEREAS,
Hawaii's landfills are nearing capacity, with the State facing significant
community opposition to the expansion of existing facilities or the
establishment of new facilities; and

����
WHEREAS, according
to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, construction and
demolition waste constitutes approximately twenty-one to forty percent of
landfill mass nationwide and represents one of the largest contributors to
solid waste in Hawaii, further exacerbating landfill pressures; and

����
WHEREAS, a
comprehensive and coordinated cross-industry approach is critical to advancing
the circular construction economy, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable
practices across the State's construction and demolition sectors; and

����
WHEREAS, local
recycling nonprofits and community-based organizations in the State have made
significant progress in advocating for deconstruction, reuse, and circular
economy principles, but face barriers in scaling these efforts to have a
broader policy and economic impact; and

����
WHEREAS, a
construction and demolition waste reduction working group could serve as a
catalyst to coordinate efforts across industries, identify resources, remove
systemic barriers, and recommend targeted incentives that promote sustainable
practices and economic growth; and

����
WHEREAS, the
adoption of reclaimed and reused materials, which are often low-embodied carbon
alternatives to virgin materials, could significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and support the State's carbon reduction goals, as outlined in Act
15, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, which committed the State to achieving carbon
neutrality by 2045; and

����
WHEREAS, landfills
have historically been located near disadvantaged communities,
disproportionately exposing these communities to health risks, such as air
pollution, groundwater contamination, and other environmental hazards, and
addressing these injustices should be a central goal of sustainable waste
management policies; and

����
WHEREAS, the
establishment of a working group will help make actionable recommendations,
including reviewing potential approaches, proposing solutions, and prioritizing
actions to promote deconstruction, materials reuse, and waste reduction; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Office of Planning and Sustainable Development plays a key role in coordinating
statewide planning, sustainability initiatives, and cross-agency collaboration,
and is well positioned to convene stakeholders to address construction and
demolition waste challenges; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Office of Planning and Sustainable
Development is requested to convene a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to:

����
(1)
�
Identify and implement solutions to reduce
construction and demolition waste statewide;

����
(2)
�
Develop strategies to scale deconstruction and
materials reuse to reduce landfill dependency;

����
(3)
�
Support the growth of the circular
construction economy by fostering public and private sector collaboration;

����
(4)
�
Ensure alignment with the State's goals; and

����
(5)
�
Create a framework for policy and economic
incentives that promote sustainable practices; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to include the following members:

����
(1)
�
The Director of the Office of Planning and
Sustainable Development, or the Director's designee, who is requested to serve
as chair of the Working Group;

����
(2)
�
The Comptroller, or the Comptroller's
designee;

����
(3)
�
Private sector leaders invited to participate
by the chair, including:

���������
(A)
�
One
representative from the construction industry;

���������
(B)
�
One
representative from the demolition and deconstruction industry;

���������
(C)
�
One
representative from the reuse retail industry;

���������
(D)
�
One
representative from the real estate development industry;

���������
(E)
�
One
representative with expertise in historic preservation;

���������
(F)
�
One
representative with expertise in architecture;

���������
(G)
�
One
representative with expertise in urban planning; and

���������
(H)
�
One
representative from the waste management industry; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to invite and involve community
groups with expertise in workforce development, public policy, and
environmental justice; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to focus on policy innovation and
cross-industry collaboration, exploring best practices from successful circular
economy programs in other regions, such as those implemented in Denmark and the
Netherlands; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to submit annual reports of its
findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each Regular Session;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the reports are requested to include the Working Group's
successes and opportunities for further action in advancing the circular construction
economy; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Comptroller.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

OPSD;
Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group; Reports