Source Reduction Working Group
What Is Source Reduction?
Source reduction can be defined as actions that reduce the generation of waste, waste disposal, and waste toxicity. These actions can be done at various levels spanning from the manufacturer, legislative, industrial or business, and consumer level.
Source Reduction Examples
Manufacturer Level: Manufacturers can redesign product packaging to use less material.
Legislative Level: Honolulu City Council passed Bill 40 for the Disposable Food Waste Ordinance (DFWO), which promotes source reduction by replacing single-use, polystyrene foam food ware with reusable products as an option. In addition, under the DFWO, food vendors may only provide or distribute disposable service ware for prepared food or beverage upon request or affirmative response of a customer or person being provided prepared food or beverage. This could result in the reduction of distribution and use of disposable service ware.
Industrial or Business Level: Some local businesses have been established with sustainability and zero waste as their objective. These stores sell environmental-friendly products and feature refill stations for common toiletries.
- Consumer Level: At the consumer level, reduced purchasing, reuse, and repair are common source reduction actions. Because Oʻahu’s Plastic Bag Ban requires a minimum of 15 cents charge per allowable bag, customers often opt to bring their own reusable bag avoiding the additional fee.
Source Reduction Working Group (SRWG)
The City and County of Honolulu (city) Department of Environmental Services (ENV) is determined to identify the most effective strategies for managing solid waste while also protecting public health and the environment. In order to improve Oʻahu’s solid waste management system, a key component includes source reduction initiatives that involve collaboration with stakeholders from governmental agencies, business, industry, non-governmental organizations, policy makers, and residents. To guide and increase source reduction efforts, the city has established a Source Reduction Working Group (SRWG) that aims to determine the best approaches and provide recommendations that promote reduction of waste generation.
Meet the SRWG Members
The SRWG is comprised of a nine (reduced from 10) member body appointed by the mayor. The individuals of the SRWG were selected for their expertise in the governmental, environmental/ sustainability, educational, cultural, and industrial fields.
Amy Brinker
Kamehameha Schools, Sustainability
Nicole Chatterson
Zero Waste O‘ahu
Allen Evans
Island Demo, Inc. / Refrigerant Recycling Inc.
Hayley Cook
City and County of Honolulu – Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency
Lene Ichinotsubo
State Department of Health – Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch
Jessica Leorna (member until SRWG Meeting 3)
Building Industry Association (BIA) of Hawai‘i
Michael O’Keefe
City and County of Honolulu – Department of Environmental Services
Quinn Vittum
Reuse Hawai‘i
Tina Yamaki
Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i
Lauren Zirbel
Hawai‘i Food Industry Association
SRWG Topics
The SRWG came together in Meeting 2 and voted to focus on the following topics:
- Construction and Demolition Waste
- Product Packaging & Food Waste/Organics
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panel Waste
A Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) was formed for each topic. Each PIG was tasked to investigate ways to incentivize source reduction for the topic, policies or regulations needed, and public education strategies. In subsequent SRWG Meetings, presentations and thoughtful discussions will ultimately help the formation of recommendations that aim to promote source reduction.
SRWG Meetings
The SRWG is planned to have five in-person meetings throughout the 2023 calendar year. Details and documents associated with the meetings are published below.
SRWG Meeting 1 - April 19, 2023
The first SRWG meeting occurred April 19, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This meeting was held at Kapolei Hale, Conference Room “A.”
Meeting Documents
- SRWG Meeting 1 Agenda
- Charter Document Source Reduction Working Group
- Source Reduction Working Group Rules
- Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for the City and County of Honolulu
Meeting Record
SRWG Meeting 2 - June 28, 2023
The second SRWG meeting occurred June 28, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This meeting was held at Kapolei Hale, Conference Room “A.”
Meeting Documents
Meeting Record
SRWG Meeting 3 - November 28, 2023
The third SRWG meeting occurred November 28, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This meeting was held at Kapolei Hale, Conference Room “A.”
Meeting Documents
Meeting Record
SRWG Meeting 4 - December 4, 2023
The fourth SRWG meeting occurred December 4, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This meeting was held at Kapolei Hale, Conference Room “A.”
Meeting Documents
Meeting Record
SRWG Meeting 5 - May 10, 2024
The fifth SRWG meeting occurred May 10, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This meeting was held at Kapolei Hale, Conference Room “A.”
Meeting Documents
Meeting Record