COM 0099.000 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Training and social marketing programs: • Train the trainers • Train the technicians and regulators Train people and businesses Facilitate research required to support sound resource management, including facilitation of public, private, and academic partnerships Benefits of Zero Waste Implementation The County currently generates approximately 200,000 tons of discards annually. Assuming separation occurs at the point of generation and is done by generators, "extraction" of raw materials is essentially free, with bins and equipment paid for by sales of materials after final processing and a diversion credit of $85 per ton. Over one third or more" of the County's discards are organic materials that can greatly improve the island's soil for farming, facilitating the production of more locally grown food while mitigating erosion and runoff, minimizing the need to import expensive pesticides and fertilizers, and conserving irrigation water. These materials include food scraps, yard trimmings and soiled and low-grade papers. Representatives of both the agriculture sector on the Hilo side of the island and the tourist industry on the Kona side have informed consultants that their respective industries could benefit from mulch, compost and compost-amended soils created on the island from discarded organics. "Hawai'i can realize nearly $11 million in gross revenue if discards are source separated and captured for reuse, composting and recycling markets." At nearly $5.8 million, the potential for revenue from reuse items is one-third the total value of all discards, even though these materials comprise just five percent of what's generated. Overall, Hawaii can realize nearly $11 million in gross revenue if discards are source separated and captured for reuse, composting and recycling markets. A multitude of options to gain revenue from discarded materials exist, and include reuse and repair markets, direct sales of raw materials, and value-added products marketed on the island, within state, or overseas. Comprehensive composting, recycling and reuse programs offer the Hilo region of the island an avenue for local economic growth as well as a least-cost and more environmentally-friendly alternative to landfilling, incineration or shipping marketable discarded materials to the Kona landfill. New rules to get residents and businesses to separate organics from reusables, special discards and recyclables will be required as overarching policies to drive the change, and sample/draft ordinances are included in the appendices of the report. While consultants profess changes required won't be easy, other jurisdictions have found ways to overcome challenges and are moving towards Zero Waste with great success. Hawaii has the opportunity to reclaim the economic and environmental sustainability it once had, provided foresight and diligence accompany efforts to pursue the programs outlined in this plan. Job creation, improved economic stability, cleaner air, water and land, and a healthier, more stable food supply. These are the benefits of Zero Waste. "Approximately 41 % when combining CH2MHill's composition estimates of 33.1% organics, 25% of 22.4% paper, and 10% of 22.2% C&D (31.1 + 5.6 + 2.2 = 40.9%)