2020-10-28 EMC Meeting Agenda and Director's Informational Report

Home

• As required by HRS Chapter 342G, Mayor Kim appointed members to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). The county’s SWAC is comprised of seven members and had been meeting monthly. Input from SWAC members during the ISWMP update process was crucial to ensure that the completed plan effectively identified and addressed the County of Hawai‘i’s unique solid waste challenges. • The SWAC had their first meeting in March 2018. The June and July meetings were dedicated to helping the SWAC learn more about the county’s solid waste and landfill diversion programs, and one of the tools used was to show the SWAC many of the program’s facilities. During the SWAC meetings from August 2018 to November 2018, the SWAC reviewed and utilized the 2009 plan recommendations and options in developing their own recommendations and options. • A draft plan was submitted to the SWAC during December 2018. The SWAC agreed to proceed by submitting their individual comments to the plan in January 2019, followed by group discussions of individual chapters during monthly SWAC meetings. The SWAC Draft Plan review and consensus of proposed revisions spanned approximately 170 days. At the end of each meeting, all SWAC members present motioned to approve all edits and changes as discussed, and SWAC members were informed that their participation in these meetings was part of the required 120-day comment period. • The draft plan was submitted to the Department of Health on 08/21/19 for its 90- day review. • Two ISWMP informational meeting were held during December 2019, and two public hearings were held during January 2020. • The public comment period was open for 60 days, from 12/06/19 through 02/04/20. • SWD staff reviewed the comments and testimony and prepared responses for the SWAC to review. • The SWAC met on 02/26/20 to review and discuss the DOH comments and the public comments and testimony, and approved changes to the draft ISWMP. SWD staff and Parametrix have finished the draft of the ISWMP. • The following are the next steps for the implementation of the ISWMP: ◦ The draft ISWMP will be submitted to the County Council for adoption. ◦ The adopted ISWMP plan will be submitted to the DOH for approval. ◦ Appropriate components of the ISWMP should be incorporated into the budget and into the operation of the relevant programs. B. TRANSFER STATION RECYCLABLES (“TWO-BIN”) COLLECTION AND RECYCLING: • The current contract will end on 03/31/21 or when commencement of services begins under new procurement, whichever is earlier. A downsized acceptable list of recyclables was implemented on 10/16/19 after discussions on deteriorating world recycling market conditions. Two-Bin acceptable materials are now clean corrugated cardboard and brown Kraft paper bags in one bin, and clean non-HI-5 glass containers (no caps, covers or lids) in a separate glass bin. Clean metal cans can be placed in the scrap metal bin at five of the recycling and transfer stations. Overseas markets for recyclables are shrinking, and the value has been volatile. If further market changes occur, program modifications may be implemented. 3