Hawaii packaging and PFAS laws

What it would do: Establishes a PFAS working group within the department of health to assess per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in Hawaii's environment and food and water supplies, with members from state agencies, universities, and stakeholders, requiring annual interim reports by 2027 and 2028 and a final report by 2029, then ceasing to exist June 30, 2029.

What it would do: Urges the United States Department of Defense to reassess prior closure determinations under CERCLA regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances at Hawaii military installations, expand investigations beyond aqueous film-forming foam areas, conduct comprehensive environmental sampling, and disclose complete analytical results.

What it would do: Requests the Department of Health to conduct a study on recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable product labeling in Hawaii to assess accuracy and whether labels are deceptive, and to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by twenty days prior to the 2027 Regular Session.

What it would do: Requires wastewater treatment works approved for land application of sewage sludge to test for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and prohibits permits authorizing land application of sludge or residual materials containing any amount of PFAS on agricultural land, lands with drainage tiles, lands draining to state waters, or five-hundred-year floodplains.

What it would do: Beginning January 1, 2028, prohibits businesses in Hawaii from distributing, selling, or using single-use plastic food ware containing regulated PFAS. Violations result in orders to discontinue use and fines of $100 to $1,000 per day.

What it would do: Prohibits lodging establishments from providing small plastic containers of personal care products in sleeping rooms or bathrooms, effective January 1, 2027 for larger establishments and January 1, 2029 for smaller ones, with civil penalties of $500 for first violation and $2,000 for subsequent violations.

What it would do: Establishes a mattress stewardship working group within the department of health to develop a program for collection, reuse, and recycling of mattresses, box springs, and mattress foundations, with a report due to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2028 regular session.

What it would do: Repeals Hawaii's existing deposit beverage container program and replaces it with a producer responsibility program requiring producers or producer responsibility organizations to manage redemption networks, set a 5-cent refund value, and meet convenience and redemption rate standards.

What it would do: Amends Hawaii's deposit beverage container recycling program to reduce the distance requirement for dealer exemptions from two miles to one-half mile from certified redemption centers, removes certain hardship exemptions, and expands allowable uses of the deposit special fund to include evaluating and promoting recyclable market development and reverse vending machines.

What it would do: Adds eligibility standards for grant applicants to deploy reverse vending machines funded by the deposit beverage container special fund, and modifies dealer redemption center requirements by removing certain exemptions and distance-based provisions.

What it would do: Increases the refund value for deposit beverage containers from 5 cents to 10 cents, effective January 1, 2026, and adjusts related payment amounts that deposit beverage distributors owe to the Department of Health.

What it would do: Requires state agencies monitoring environmental toxins to establish action levels consistent with best scientific evidence and federal standards. Mandates public notice, scientific justification, thirty-day comment periods, and public hearings before modifying any environmental action levels.

What it would do: Requires the department of health to conduct a statewide needs assessment by December 31, 2028, to determine resources needed for an extended producer responsibility program for packaging materials and paper products, and appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

What it would do: Beginning January 1, 2028, prohibits manufacturing, selling, or distributing food packaging, food service ware, cosmetics, or personal care products containing intentionally added PFAS in Hawaii, with exceptions for FDA-regulated drugs, medical devices, dietary supplements, and hydrofluoroolefins used as propellants.

What it would do: Repeals exemptions from deposit beverage container redemption requirements for dealers, requiring all dealers to operate redemption centers and accept empty containers for full refund value starting July 1, 2026.

What it would do: Requires wastewater treatment works designed for land application of sewage sludge to test for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and prohibits permits authorizing land application of sludge containing any amount of PFAS on agricultural land, land with drainage tiles, land draining into state waters, or five-hundred-year floodplains.

What it would do: Requests the Governor to convene a temporary working group to investigate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in Hawaii, identify contamination locations, conduct testing, assess health risks, and submit interim reports by twenty days before the 2026 and 2027 legislative sessions and a final report by twenty days before the 2028 session.

What it would do: Increases the fluid ounce limit for deposit glass beverage containers from 68 to 128 ounces, expands the glass recovery program to include building materials, and broadens deposit beverage definitions to include tea and coffee drinks with dairy products, effective January 1, 2027.

What it would do: Repeals Hawaii's deposit beverage container program effective June 30, 2026, provides one year for redemption of empty containers, eliminates distributor fees, and transfers remaining deposit fund balances to a new solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling fund.

What it would do: Requires the department of health to contract with independent auditors to conduct management and financial audits of the deposit beverage container program for fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, and biennially thereafter. Establishes a bag drop pilot program allowing redeemers to leave containers at redemption centers and receive payment electronically within ten days, terminating June 30, 2031.

What it would do: Establishes a mattress stewardship program requiring producers to designate stewardship organizations to develop collection and recycling plans for mattresses, box springs, and foundations, funded by a retailer-collected fee of at least $16 per covered product beginning January 1, 2027.

What it would do: Prohibits manufacturing, selling, or distributing surfboard wax containing intentionally introduced PFAS chemicals in Hawaii beginning January 1. Establishes administrative fines for violations and amends the definition of 'intentionally introduced' to include products and product components.

What it would do: Repeals the requirement that deposit beverage distributors develop and submit an internal control process and obtain independent audits in odd-numbered years. Requires only selected redemption centers and distributors to submit monthly or semi-annual reports under a risk-based audit process.

What it would do: Prohibits manufacturers from importing, selling, or distributing beverages in single-use plastic containers with plastic caps unless the cap is tethered to prevent separation or allows consumption while attached, and the cap matches the container's plastic resin type.

What it would do: Establishes an environmentally friendly schools initiative requiring public schools to offer environmental stewardship courses beginning 2027-2028, implement recycling and composting programs, prohibit single-use plastic food service products starting July 1, 2027, and install water bottle filling stations by July 1, 2028.