COM 0272.002 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COLLECTION /SOURCE SEPARATION: The primary, and possibly the only, advantage claimed for mixed waste processing is the fact that it requires little or no modification in trash collection systems. For communities with a wide variety of collection systems or with little or no control over the various haulers mixed waste processing has often been sold as a no effort option which can meet their waste diversion goals. Hawaii County may find that while the concept seems attractive the actual cost to the community over the long run may be much higher than anticipated. As mentioned above, the implementation of a Dirty MRF usually requires some form of control over the majority of the waste stream. As the County does not control collection of the large majority of the island's waste stream and cannot direct delivery of source separated material, it may be more advantageous to look to exercise some responsibility and control over services provided by the various haulers rather than construct the equivalent of anew landfill in a building. Selective franchising of local haulers, with stipulations restricting any single hauler from gaining a monopoly in any one area could increase services and reduce costs. In addition, if the haulers see a economic benefit in delivering material to a source separated facility, they will take on some of the responsibility for promotion of recycling. While currently regarded as a problem or cost, the public education necessary to insure the success of a source separated program can often be turned into a benefit by building community awareness and encouraging residents to take responsibilities for their waste. Most communities with source separated recycling programs have a significantly lower incidence of litter and illegal dumping. And promoting "Source Reduction", the most effective means of cutting disposal costs is extremely difficult without first changing the public's perception of waste management. PERMITTING AND THE ISWM PLAN: The proposal does not appear to conform with Hawaii County's ISWM Plan. The project's lack of conformance could be an issue during the local land use decision making process, or at least require a major rewrite of the ISWM Plan. Those issues must be also addressed within the Solid Waste Management permit application. If not adequately dealt with, there could be significant delays in the permitting process. As the Plan was developed by the Administration, (would think that conformance with its goals and objectives would be an major issue that the Administration would have to address. EIS REQUIREMENT: Since the project would involve a contractual guarantee by the County and use of County land, the proposed project would be subject to the EIS process before any contractual agreements are finalized. While a transfer station or source separated MRF could most likely satisfy those requirements with an Environmental Assessment and a Negative Declaration,