HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0764.030 2022-2024 P/ PGIA
Pill 140
COMM Iat
From: Greg DiBenedetto N.
Sent: Monday,June 3, 2024 11:53 AM can
To: Council Testimony ,
Subject: Testimony in favor of Bill 140
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Aloha County Council, 1/41
I am writing in support of Bill 140 regarding lack of service days at the Kalapana transfer station,and requiring that all
transfer stations be open a minimum of 2 days per week.
The reduction in service to one day a week at the Kalapana location since 2020 has only served to compound the already
existing problem of off-day dumping in front of the locked gate, resulting in an eyesore and a an unhealthy, unhygienic
situation. Many Red Road residents do not make it to Pahoa or Hilo frequently enough to able to use alternate facilities.
Bill 140 is a good first step to restoring service levels to something close to adequate.
Also,the reduction in service days, service hours, and types of waste collected is a problem across all of the East Hawaii
transfer station sites, in my experience.
In order to responsibly recycle metals,cardboard,glass,and even green waste,county residents are forced to navigate a
confusing patchwork of services where certain dumpsters are only available on certain days at certain locations for
limited hours. This most certainly leads to irresponsible trashing of fully recyclable materials, unless a person is willing
to make multiple trips to multiple locations on multiple days with various kinds of waste. As a dedicated recycler, I have
attempted to do this, but at a certain point,the investment of my time,energy, and organization feels like a waste,or in
some cases simply becomes impossible. I'm sure this is only more true for those who care less.
Additionally,the collection of Household Hazardous Materials only once per year at three locations is similarly
inadequate. Certainly many hazardous chemicals and objects end up in the landfill or in the environment rather than
being processed appropriately. I do not think most residents are willing to save up these materials for months or a year
just to dispose of them properly. Once again, help residents do the right thing by providing more consistent and
frequent service,or a dedicated location open on at least a once-a-month basis.
I support Bill 140 to increase frequency of service in Kalapana,and I also strongly support further council action to
provide more consistent hours and services across the various transfer stations. While there are certainly costs
associated with this, it would result materials being reused or properly handled, rather than littering our roadways,
forests, neighborhoods,and ocean. Please make it possible and simple for county residents to do the right thing with
trash of all kinds!
Mahalo for your thoughtful consideration,
•
Gregory DiBenedetto ��n�.1,D
Comm. NR IY
President Ref. To: Y
1 Ref. Date
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Black Sands Property Owners'Association
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