COM 0800.005 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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