Integrated Resources & Solid Waste Management Plan Update - Dec 2009

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3.0 SOURCE REDUCTION infrastructure cost could vary considerably depending on site - specific conditions and the extent to which modifications are feasible at each station. For planning purposes, the initial infrastructure requirements would probably cost somewhere between $1 million and $2 million. The annual cost of operating the system would probably be between $1.5 million and $2 million. 3.5.5.2 Universal Collection with PAYT Rates While not unprecedented, the County's current system of providing recycling and transfer stations distributed throughout the county is a relatively uncommon way of providing garbage collection services to residents. PAYT rates could be implemented as part of a move to provide universal garbage, recycling, and perhaps organics collection services to all County residents. Elsewhere in the United States, residential collection services typically are either provided by local government or by the private sector under a contract or franchise arrangement. The Hawaii Supreme Court's "Konno decision" affirmed the rights of the United Public Workers (UPW) union to perform work that "customarily and historically" has been performed by government workers. However, subsequent to that ruling, the Hawaii Legislature in HRS 46 -36 provided for a "managed competition' process in which local government and the private sector would compete on the basis of efficiency, effectiveness, and price for new government services. Additional research would be needed to decide the best way to proceed with universal collection should this be an option the County would like to implement. PAYT collection rates can take many forms including using a variable can, metered bag or metered tag system. The key aspect of this system is to charge a progressive rate for each additional garbage unit collected above the basic service level (for example, one can per week). Like PAYT at County recycling and transfer stations, implementation of this option would require implementation of an aggressive public education and information campaign to ensure that residents understand the rationale for implementing the PAYT program. Significant up -front planning would be required to assess a wide range of implementation details. The County would need to establish billing systems, a customer service organization, and modify its financial systems to accommodate this new service. The County could elect to assess the potential for reducing property taxes as an offset to the new revenue source. Estimated Cost: Garbage collection rates in Hawaii County (where available by subscription) typically range from $20 to 30 per household per month. On the mainland, rates can vary from $10 to $30 or more per household per month depending on disposal fees and the type of service provided (e.g., including separate collection of recyclables and /or yard and /or food waste). 3.5.6 Expanded Home Composting Program The County has an ongoing backyard composting program, including educational workshops, that has distributed more than 300 composting machines to residents and schools. The County has indicated their intent to continue this program, which could be expanded to reach a wider audience. The program could include an aggressive promotion 3 -12 December 2009