2017-04-25 Enchanced Mulch policy -- press release from DEM

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Wil Okabe Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 April 25, 2017 NEWS RELEASE Department of Environmental Management Unveils Enhanced Mulch Distribution Policy Beginning April 17, 2017, the Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste Division (SWD) began distribution of enhanced mulch that is being processed at the East Hawai'i Organics Facility (EHOF), located at the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill. The enhanced mulch has gone through a 60-day “curing” period, which brings the mulch to temperatures in excess of 130°F. The heat is proven to kill invasive species which may have been present in the unprocessed green waste. In an effort to offer fair distribution of the enhanced mulch to the public, the Department will impose limitations for the amount of enhanced mulch that each customer will be allowed to receive at the EHOF for assisted loading:  Customers who require assisted loading will be limited to one load of enhanced mulch, not to exceed 10 cubic yards per day.  Residential self-load customers will be allowed to load an unlimited volume of enhanced mulch. Commercial customers will not be allowed to self-load mulch.  All outgoing loads must be weighed by the Solid Waste Division. The public is encouraged to visit the West Hawai‘i Organics Facility (WHOF). There is currently no cost for the mulch, and there are no loading fees and no limitation on the amount of mulch that each customer will be allowed to receive at WHOF. Mulch at WHOF does not undergo a similar enhancement process that takes place at the EHOF, but the temperature and dry conditions at the WHOF allow for this mulch to remain essentially pest-free. The public is also encouraged to visit the Kealakehe Mulch Pick-up Area. There is currently no cost for the mulch, but a nominal loading fee applies to loads 3.5 cubic yards or greater. There is no limitation on the amount of mulch that each customer will be allowed to receive at Kealakehe Mulch Pick-up Area. Served on a first-come basis while supplies of mulch are available. Mulch at Kealakehe is transported from the WHOF. Visit www.hawaiizerowaste.org for more information, or for further information, please contact Greg Goodale at the Solid Waste Division at 961- 8270. County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.