2019-11-27 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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Chair Bennett suggested the commissioners, as they are making their lists, include county, state, federal, and private options. The lists will be discussed at the next meeting. Chair Bennett asked Kristine Kubat, who had signed up to testify, if she wanted to speak now. Kristine Kubat: She pointed out that as far as paying at the point of purchase, there is a 1.5 cent fee every time someone purchases a glass jar, and the system could be extended to buying batteries, tires, and single use beverage containers. The infrastructure is in place. However, the 1.5 cents needs to be raised, as it was established many years ago. The state assesses the fee, and the consumers pay it. The money collected gets sent back to the counties, where it is to be used to support glass recycling. The legislature needs to increase the fee and have the program include all glass items. Someone needs to figure out how to take the same infrastructure and have it include plastic. Ms. Kubat clarified that she was present on behalf of Recycle Hawaiʻi. Chair Bennett said he was granting her more time to speak and giving commissioners the opportunity to ask her questions. She passed out a handout on plastic and said everybody should read it. It lays out the connection between plastic and the climate. Every person has to accept responsibility for the plastic waste they generate. The amount of plastic people use is horrifying, and no decision should be made that would lock us into a continuous consumption of plastic. The goal to reduce global warming will not be met unless there is a reduction in the amount of plastic consumed. She appreciates the time they are in now, because the political landscape is such that people are making decisions based on the right thing to do and not on who is getting a contract or contributing. Chair Bennett thanked her for her testimony and asked her to prepare a synopsis of what she just presented so it could be reviewed and deliberated upon at their next meeting, and Ms. Kubat agreed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion on the Commission’s research into alternatives to centralized treatment plants and long sewer lines. Chair Bennett said there was some interest in talking about what alternatives there may be to centralized wastewater treatment plants and long sewer lines. The General Plan speaks to it loosely. Subdivisions will be built that are not near a WWTP, and the General Plan could be in a position to specify what type of waste treatment is suitable and what is not. The EMC may be able to provide advice to the Council and Planning Department about appropriate decentralized waste treatment strategies. He asked if there was any interest in pursuing this. Commissioner Gaffney felt they need to. 5