HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0533.093 2000-2002 ~iFfiiC~ °Tel; (8®~) ~G 1- G55G E~ac: (~0~) ~G 1- 6557
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Testimony before the Hawaii County Council
Relating to Department Of Environmental Management s '
T
May 28, 2002 . p.-~ . -
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First of all, we're here to help. Thank you for funding recycling education through Recycle Hawaii for
more than 10 years. Education is life-long and we do it daily. This year there is a proposal to-drop all
County funding to Recycle Hawaii. I am here today to talk about the consequences of this proposal.
Given the difficulties of choosing priorities, we know:
• The biggest problem for the community who wants to recycle is inconsistency of services. The
biggest problem for recycling businesses is depressed markets and the diversion grant budget.
• In solid waste, it's either pay for it now, or pay for it later. Usually, it's pay more for it later. Cost
avoidance, through recycling and reuse is our best hope to keep costs from increasing.
• It costs the County at least $80/ton to landfill solid waste. Less than 30% of the cost of landfilling is
raised through tipping fees. 70% is subsidized through the general fund. Why not increase
revenues through the already established tipping fee and the vehicle registration-fee?
• The County diversion grant program is under funded by $50,000- to $100,000/pear. $50,000
would pay for 1250 tons diverted from the landfills. We are lucky in -that we stiffl have low-hanging
fruit to pick. Other municipalities need to spend more to conserve their landfill space; we can still
do it cheaply.
• If we could keep'/2 of the greenwaste out of the Hilo landfill, we would save 27 tons per day and
with that one action save over 3 months of East Hawaii landfill space (109 daysj. By the
consultant Harding ESE's estimates, that saves us $300,000 in avoided costs (landfll closure and
long-hauling with inadequate equipment).
We do support the department hiring a Recycling Coordinator and we support extending the reach of
the County through our programs. However, the services we provide which will be difficult for any one
person, based in Hilo or otherwise, to accomplish are:
• Island-wide outreach So far this year we have made 50 presentations to any group that asked
for our assistance. We have been active at 10 community events.
• 24 hour/day, 7 days/week live information via our Infoline as well as more comprehensive
information, and replies, from our website.
• Keeping accurate information available to the public about what and where to recycle. The
services provided by local businesses do change with market cond'etions.
• The February School Recycle Challenge We are. the only County who includes all commodities
that can be collected in our challenge. The other Counties challenge the schools based on
aluminum can collections only.
Please seriously consider your alternatives before voting to cut the Solid Waste Division's budget.
Respectfully submitted,
•
..fd.- Co~'sx~, Moo ' 3
Barbara Bell, Executive Director
What did ~~ycl~ l~aWai'i ~~c®r~plish this ~~r?
zoos
Used liAotor ®il: This program is growing, In 2002, the Sig Island has turned in 379 gallons of. used motor
oil at our permanent collection sites and rural collection. days. This is on track to be at least 20°/® amore
than we collected last year since we still have April, May and June's collections to countl The State
®epartment of Health is very supportive of our efforts and has really helped us in so many ways. Many
' mahalos to Rudy ~3ilan and his department)
The February School recycle Challenge: We again organized a recycling competition between schools on
our island: Thirty schools participated and helped keep;nearly 60,000 pounds of recyclables out of our
landfills. We added ink het and toner cartridges- as Drell as 2 plastic milk jugs to this year's challenge. The
response was overwhelming with 1 g01~g #2 plastic gallon milk dugs and 4~3 inkj~# arZd torBer cartridges
collected the first year) We also awarded $1,700 in donated cash and gift certificates.
rural Utilities Services Grant: We've worked in Ocean View, Pahoa and Na'alehu providing consulting
services for recycling. and. other waste managerr~ent issues to residents in these. rural communities. A
major aecompiis~ment has been the initiati®n of planning for a neon transfer station to Gcean i/iew to
include recycling services) We'I# be in Mountain View starting in .tune. Cali us if you would like to
participate in this planning process.
Household Hazardous Waste: We publicize twicelyear collections for the. County of Hawai°i program. Items
collected, such as batteries, ar~d motor oi! will- be shipped out for recycling and processing. Other toxic
items such as garden ~herr~icals and oil-based painfs are shipped to special sites on the mainland for
responsible disposal.
T`ree~cycNng: We publicize this once a year service. The County runs this as an extension of their
greenwaste program at the beginning of the New Year. Free mulch from Christmas trees is available at
island transfer stations. This was once a Recycle Hawaii volunteer project that grew to County
sponsorship.
educational ®utreach: And, let's not forget all of our other everyday activities. Staff has displays and
information at cornrnunity events around the island and provided presentations to all who ask. We made
at least 50 presentati®ns at schools, cornrnunity groups, and businesses, and held ~ workshops as
part of our County contract.
State bottle hilt: Recycle Hawai°i staff provided petitions of support and e~aail capdates to members and
friends for the state bottle bill. Your support and assistance were invaluable in helping the State
Legislature pass this important bill this year. tf we don't have your email address, and you would like to
receive legislative updates,. please send it to info(a~recyclehawaii.org. Thanks.
Kona brewer`s Festival: We raised funds for Recycle Hawaii by again being. a part of this annual "waste
wise" festival. each year more restaurants get into the spirit ofi having less disposable -waste at-the event.
This year's winner of the 'Gina Akamai Award, Kailua Candy C®mpany, had n® wash whatsoever) In
addition, because of this event, we were able to find a recycler in O°ahu who accepts plastic for recycling!
Ironman Triathlon: This year, Ironman volunteers approached us to initiate recycling of alurninur~ cans and
plastic water bottles during the event. Recycle Hawaii provided technics! support and wire recycling
bins fop their ~llection. We-hope this first small effort continues to grow with each year's event) The plastic
was shipped to ~3ahu for asian markets.
MAC-PALO NU! LOA FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPAORT.~