2019-10-23 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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to do it. A PowerPoint presentation on the recycling changes will be given on November 5, 2019, before the Council’s Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management. It will explain what happened, when, and what they are doing about it. To put it in perspective, 283,000 tons of solid waste were collected in 2018 and disposed of in the landfill. About 58,000 tons were diverted, which is about a 20% diversion rate. These figures do not include the big box retailers and businesses, which send their cardboard elsewhere. He provided information on how much of the waste stream was diverted to the 2-bin system, and it was disappointing. Options are being looked at, including whether to go out and get a new contract, or do an RFI or RFP to see what comes in. One of their employees was just appointed to be in the state Plastic Source Reduction Group, which should be helpful. In addition, they are also working with Habitat for Humanity and the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund on how to manage waste. Commissioner Gaffney asked whether the new vehicle to check sewer lines for leaks was on board yet, and Director Kucharski said they had ordered two, and he would check on the status. Commissioner Gaffney said he would like an update each month in the Director’s Informational Report on the sewer inflow and infiltration on Aliʻi Drive so they could see the results of the new technology. Commissioner Fritz asked whether members of the public who use transfer stations would get educated about not recycling what they previously could and if they would be signing agreements to uphold the rules. Director Kucharski said there should be signs posted, and the facility attendants are paying closer attention to what is put in the bins. Commissioner Fritz said people at the Puakō Transfer Station are not following the rules and also put greenwaste down the chute. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS This was not discussed. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting was not announced. 9. ADJOURNMENT Motion, second, and vote: Commissioner Fulton moved to adjourn, Vice Chair Olson seconded the motion, and all commissioners voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 10:58 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Mary E. Fujio, Secretary (with her signature)