2006-01-AU Audit of the County of Hawai‘i's Recycling and Diversion Grants Program

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CHAPTER 2 GENERAL FINDINGS Finding I. The amount of municipal solid waste generated per capita per day in Hawaii County greatly exceeds the national average. • In fiscal year 2003 -2004, the Hawaii County average of municipal solid waste was 8.25 pounds per capita per day compared to the EPA's reported national average of 4.5 pounds per capita per day. + In fiscal year 2004 -2005, the Hawaii County average of municipal solid waste increased approximately 13.7 percent to 9.38 pounds per capita per day. • In fiscal year 2004 -2005, the Hawaii County average of landfilled waste was approximately 7.59 pounds per capita per day, which represents an increase of approximately 9 percent from the 6.96 pounds per capita landfilled in fiscal year 2003 -2004. 2. The Updated ISWMP is not utilized as the mechanism to keep the County and DEM on a focused and efficient path to effectively manage its solid waste streams. • The Updated ISWMP does not reflect the current reality of the County's solid waste management infrastructure. For example, the 2002 Updated ISWMP plan provides for: • Establishment of the DEM -Solid Waste Division as a "Utility Enterprise" in fiscal year 2003 -2004. • Construction of an East Hawaii Sort Station during fiscal years 2003 -2004 and 2004 -2005. • Hauling of East Hawaii residual waste to the Pu`uanahulu landfill beginning fiscal year 2004 -2005. • Phase -in of landfill bans on recyclable construction and demolition wastes in fiscal year 2004 -2005. • Establishment of drop -off centers at municipal shopping centers during fiscal years 2004 -2005 and 2005 -2006. • Upgrade of transfer stations to include drop -off centers by fiscal year 2005 -2006 (this provision was carried forward from the 1993 ISWMP). • Establishment of solid waste fees as part of County real property tax billings in fiscal year 2006 -2007. 3. DEM's internal controls are inadequate. • The department lacks formal policies and procedures for ongoing assessment of the condition and effectiveness of the County's solid waste management infrastructure as well as a formal maintenance schedule for said infrastructure. 9