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Murashige, Laura <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />Pl COUNCIL <br />calk at)0 <br />From: Henry, Sharron [shenry@co.hawaii.hi.us] <br />Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:44 AM <br />To: counciltestimony @ co.hawaii.hi.us <br />Cc: Beck, Dora; btakaba @co.hawaii.hi.us; Goodale, Gregory; Peters, Linda; Torigoe, Ivan; Chin - <br />Chance, Chris <br />Subject: TESTIMONY - BILL 286 DR 2 9/19/12 COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ITEM <br />Importance: High <br />TESTIMONY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT <br />RE BILL 286, DRAFT 2 <br />SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 COUNCIL MEETING <br />CHAIR YAGONG AND HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS, <br />Information pertaining to available disposal and recycling options for commercial used cooking oil waste (UCO) and <br />commercial fats, oil and grease waste (FOGs) was recently brought to the Department of Environmental <br />Management's (DEM) attention. This information has led to several items of concern which if not addressed will <br />negatively impact the County's current Solid Waste management practices and commercial businesses that either <br />generate or haul UCO and FOGs waste. <br />DEM understands the intent of the proposed code amendment prohibiting dumping of commercial cooking oil <br />waste and commercial FOGs at County Solid Waste facilities in order to promote recycling and reduce the <br />materials entering the landfills. However, DEM believes that the items of concern should be addressed through <br />further discussion and thought before final approval of this legislation. <br />Items of concern to DEM: <br />1. Lack of State Department of Health Permitted Facilities and capacity on this island to convert commercial <br />UCO waste or commercial FOG waste, or both into biodiesel or renewable fuel, compost or other <br />marketable product. Recent information indicates that there is one facility currently pursuing a permit to <br />convert both commercial UCO and FOG waste but this has not happened yet. In addition, there is one <br />facility on this island that is permitted to receive only UCO from commercial sources and process it into <br />biodiesel though their permitted capacity is limited. <br />2. Absence of competition due to a very limited number of facilities who are permitted to process commercial <br />UCO and FOGs waste. This can be perceived as the County favoring a particular business. <br />3. Lack of a facility for the disposal of unwanted and non - recyclable commercial UCO waste and FOG waste <br />prior to conversion once the County Landfill is not allowed to accept this material. Currently, the West <br />Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill (WHSL) is the only facility permitted to accept FOGs for disposal. <br />4. Haulers and generators of UCO waste and FOG waste may not have been informed of this legislation that <br />prohibits commercial UCO and FOGs waste to the County Landfill. This could have an impact on their <br />business practices if they need to consider disposal /recycling alternatives. <br />Potential Problems that may arise as a result of this legislation: <br />1. To DEM's knowledge, there are no facilities on the West side of the island pursuing the status of a <br />"permitted recycling facility ". The limited location, capacity and the availability of this service for users on <br />both sides of the island could result in increased transportation costs for haulers. <br />9/18/2012 <br />Comm. ' o, $00.3 <br />Ref. To: enfea atmiei <br />Ref. Date SEP 19 7919 <br />