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Article 5. Solid Waste Management. <br />Section 4-5-1. Policies. <br />(1) Solid waste services should be reliable and available to all communities. The County <br />should provide consistent and dependable solid waste services for residents and businesses <br />across Hawaii Island, regardless of location or community size. <br />(2) Waste reduction at the source should be a long-term priority for the island. The <br />County should steadily move toward a zero -waste future by prioritizing reduction, reuse, <br />recycling, composting, and other diversion strategies to reduce reliance on disposal and <br />extend the life of existing facilities. <br />(3) Waste diversion options should be accessible islandwide. Reuse, recycling, composting, <br />and other diversion practices should be reasonably available to residents and businesses in <br />all regions of Hawaii Island. <br />(4) County operations should model responsible waste practices. County facilities and <br />programs should minimize waste generation and demonstrate practical approaches to waste <br />reduction, reuse, recycling, and diversion. <br />(5) Solid waste facilities should be planned for long-term service and compatibility. Solid <br />waste facilities should be designed, sited, and operated to provide adequate capacity, <br />protect environmental resources, and remain compatible with surrounding communities and <br />land uses. <br />(6) Public education should support responsible waste management. The County should <br />promote awareness and understanding of waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and proper <br />disposal practices through ongoing education and outreach. <br />(7) The County should evaluate innovation carefully and transparently. Emerging waste <br />management technologies and strategies, including material recovery, reuse, and energy - <br />related systems, should be evaluated where they align with environmental protection, <br />operational reliability, and community needs. <br />(8) Solid waste systems should be prepared to manage debris generated by disasters and <br />major emergencies. The County should plan for the collection, temporary staging, <br />processing, and disposal of disaster -related debris in a way that protects public safety, <br />environmental resources, and timely community recovery. <br />Section 4-5-2. Actions. <br />(a) Operate and maintain core solid waste facilities and services. The department of <br />environmental management shall operate and maintain landfills, transfer stations, and <br />related solid waste facilities to meet islandwide service needs. <br />(b) Expand composting and green waste diversion where feasible. The department of <br />environmental management shall identify opportunities to add or expand composting and <br />green waste diversion facilities at transfer stations and other appropriate locations. <br />31 <br />