2017-10-25 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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The woman asked if the compost is only for green waste, and Mr. Goodale said it is basically a carbon nitrogen balance. Food waste is typically high in nitrogen, and green waste is typically the carbon source. However, it also allows for things like cardboard and contaminated paper to come into the compost facility. One reason they hired a consultant to run it is because it needs to be done by an expert who will make compost the best way. They need to run a facility that does not go anaerobic and start having odor and other issues. The product needs to be consistent and meet all testing requirements in the contract. Question from a member of the public: Jerome Warren said he also has a background in horticulture and used to mix potting mix for a department. He knows the recipe and that it takes a lot of work and money. He asked how much it will cost to produce a cubic yard of compost and how much it will be selling for. Mr. Goodale said they are charged by the ton of incoming green waste. Right now they are paying $78 per ton of incoming material. When the new composting facility is up and running, the expectation is that the rates will go up accordingly. The rates are based on incoming material, so there is no correlation with what it costs to produce a cubic yard of compost. The contract obligates the consultant to do everything—to accept the material, screen it, mix it, distribute it, and provide an education program. Mr. Warren asked how much they would sell it for, and Mr. Goodale said it’s up to them. DEM will find out when they actually have the product to sell. He does know that currently there are containers of compost being brought to the island, and they are hoping to offset that by producing it here. Mr. Warren said he wanted to compliment the Kealakehe operation. Every time he goes to Kona he comes back with a load of mulch. The workers are very friendly, and he has been happy with the mulch. Question from a member of the public: A woman asked where the food waste will be sourced from and if it will be the vendor’s choice. Mr. Goodale said they have been talking about how to facilitate a food waste collection program. The EPA recommends homeowners do it themselves via compost bins in the back yard, but that does not work for everybody. Their goal is to set up a system where they can collect food waste from the residential public at the transfer stations. However, there are challenges with Hawaiʻi’s heat and humidity. They will need to be selective on methods used to collect and store it for a limited time. It is challenging. They could possibly combine it with the green waste, but it would still have to be emptied quickly. And because the county is rural in nature, collection systems like what Honolulu or Maui have would not work here. The woman asked whether the contractor will be open to residents showing up on their doorstep. Mr. Goodale said they would like to make it available for people to drop off even small quantities at the compost facility. Most of the commercial food waste is captured by pig farmers. 17