Integrated Resources & Solid Waste Management Plan Update - Dec 2009

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1.0 INTRODUCTION • Make Progress Toward Zero Waste - To act in a consistent manner with the zero waste concept. This ongoing process views waste as an inefficient use of resources, and seeks to eliminate all discards to landfills by reducing waste, reuse (and repair) of still good stuff, and recycling/ composting by all County residents, visitors, businesses, and institutions. • Efficient and Affordable - To balance funds available for managing solid waste with other County priorities. The Plan will identify programs that get the best value (bang for the buck) for County ratepayers and taxpayers. • Minimize Environmental Pollution - To improve the environment and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, the Plan will emphasize transportation efficiencies, support material reuse and recycling, and minimize organic materials sent to landfill. • Litter -free - To eliminate illegal dumping on public and private lands. The Plan will include legislation, education, and outreach programs. • Sound Finances with Appropriate Incentives - To include financial incentives that will speed us down the path towards zero waste, such as pay -as- you -throw (PAYT), while ensuring that the Division has sufficient funds to pay for the services it provides. • Customer Service - To share aloha as well as information. The goals listed above are intended to support all aspects of plan implementation including the following: • Policy - In County legislation and support for State legislation • Funding - Move towards PAYT as well as other funding sources (grants) • Operations - Reuse and recycling, household hazardous waste collection, residuals management, recycling and transfer stations, and special events • Regulatory/ Legal - Consistency and compliance with all federal, state, and county requirements • Education and Outreach - For County employees, residents, visitors, businesses, and institutions • Management and Employee Safety - Working in partnership with the unions (the United Public Workers Union and the Hawai'i Government Employees Association) The integrated approach to solid waste management developed during this Plan update will be challenging and require a significant amount of public education and stakeholder participation in order to ultimately be successful. The goals were developed to address the overarching waste management goals of the community, in order to foster collaboration between the various stakeholders during implementation of the Plan recommendations. December 2009 1 -3