Integrated Resources & Solid Waste Management Plan Update - Dec 2009

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3.0 SOURCE REDUCTION • Practice grasscycling. • Implement onsite composting. • Donate or sell lightly used furniture or appliances instead of landfilling. This program could be implemented as a sub - element of a broader business waste audit and reduction program (see Chapter 3.5.2), or as a stand -alone program. The County could seek partner businesses and organizations within the visitor industry to build on existing waste reduction efforts by industry. At least initially, there would be some added cost to businesses to change existing material management methods. Estimated Cost: The cost of this option would differ depending on the speed of implementation. It could be implemented slowly with existing staff and resources or more rapidly if additional resources were provided. 3.5.4 Expanded Reuse Facilities The County currently operates the KRRC, as well as two smaller reuse centers at the Laupahoehoe and Keauhou Recycling and Transfer Stations, all of which have been successful at diverting both household products and C &D materials from the landfill. Recently, the County has selected a vendor to develop reuse centers at other recycling and transfer stations. Additional facilities could be added to the other recycling and transfer stations around the island, to increase the number of residents with nearby access to a reuse facility. In addition, the County could develop and communicate to residents and businesses a list of the highest priority materials to be reused, and coordinate with private and non - profit reuse centers to maximize the type and quantity of materials that can be accepted. Estimated Cost: The cost of this option would depend on the number of facilities implemented, site specific design considerations, and the resources devoted to staffing and outreach at each facility. For planning purposes, a new reuse center can be established for somewhere in the range of $20,000 to $80,000 depending on site specific conditions. Each new facility would probably require an additional $30,000 to $70,000 per year in annual staffing costs. 3.5.5 Establish Pay -As- You -Throw System for Residential Discards Implementing a PAYT system creates a financial incentive for residents and businesses to reduce their waste. As reported in a recent EPA co- sponsored publication3, PAYT systems, also known as variable rates programs or user pay, ask households to pay more if they put out more garbage for collection. This simple concept - akin to paying a water or electricity bill - has been embraced by almost 7,100 communities in the United States, and has led to the diversion of perhaps 6.5 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year that would otherwise have been landfilled. It provides a powerful financial incentive for residents to reduce waste discards. 3 Pay as you Throw (PAYT) In the US: 2006 Update and Analyses, Final Report. 2006. Co- Sponsored by: EPA Office of Solid Waste, Jan Canterbury, Washington DC Skumatz Economic Research Associates, Inc., Superior, CO, Prepared by Skumatz Economic Research Associates. Inc. 3 -10 December 2009