Integrated Resources & Solid Waste Management Plan Update - Dec 2009

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4.0 RECYCLING, BIOCONVERSION, AND MARKETS further reduce landfill garbage. The need to implement additional programs and policies is further established by the County's commitment to zero waste. H�WTPR 652MMOT Pursuant to HRS 342G -26, an overview of various options that could be implemented to improve recycling and bioconversion and solidify markets follows. These options were developed based on successful initiatives implemented in other jurisdictions that may be applicable and appropriate for Hawaii County. Note that the options focus on recycling and bioconversion; waste reduction and reuse are discussed in Section 3.0, Source Reduction, and public education is discussed in Section 5.0, Public Education and Information. 4.5.1 Increase Green Waste Drop -off Opportunities at Recycling and Transfer Stations As discussed above, green waste can be dropped off at the Hilo, Kealakehe, and Kea'au recycling and transfer stations. The County plans to issue a request for proposals for private firms to provide green waste collection sites for materials at or near each of the other 18 recycling and transfer stations. Diversion Potential. Using results from the County's 2008 waste composition study, assuming 50 percent of the green waste currently being disposed at recycling and transfer stations could be diverted through a drop off program, this green waste collection program might result in additional recycling of 4,900 tons. This estimate assumes no green waste curbside collection program is implemented and recycling and transfer stations remain open legally only to residents. Additional quantities could be captured with rigorous enforcement of a green waste disposal ban and /or by allowing small commercial customers to participate in the program. Estimated Cost. The current cost of green waste processing is approximately $37 per ton. Extending the program to all stations that are further from County mulching facilities and that have less frequent traffic would probably increase this cost by 20 to 40 percent for a total annual cost increase of approximately $650,000 to $800,000. 4.5.2 Residential Curbside Collection and Processing of Recyclables In this option, the County would collect recyclables from single family residents or contract with a private collection firm for the service. There is a wide variety of curbside recycling programs in use in North America today. They can generally be grouped into two types: multi- stream and single stream systems. A third type, co- collection, in which bags of garbage and recycling are collected in a single vehicle, is becoming less popular because of contamination concerns and low participation rates. A brief discussion of multi- stream and single stream recycling and some other important considerations follows. 4 -12 December 2009