HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0521.023 2002-2004 ON(Y Of N1y, r
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Harry Kim 2 A(~ $ 1J
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DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
25 Aupuni Stree4 Room 210 ~ Hilo, Hawaii 96720-0252
(808) 961$083 ~ Fax (808) 961-8086
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 22, 2004
TO: Aaron S. Y. Chung, Finance Committee Chair
And Committee Members
FROM: Barbara Bell, Director
RE: Memorandum sent to Committee regardin `Sort Station' dated April 19 2004
Thank you for your enthusiasm and support for expanded recycling at our transfer stations. This
is a key part of a larger plan which includes the Sort Station facility and a waste reduction
technology. The Update to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, as well as the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the East Hawaii Regional Sort Station, may be found
on the County website, at this link, http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir envmnq htm.
There appears to be a misconception given the language of the April 19th memo. The project
entitled the East Hawaii Regional Sort Station (EHRSS) includes a main waste processing facility
best described as a transfer and re-load facility, a residential recycling/convenience center, and
resource recovery yards for collection and processing of scrap metal, greenwaste, traditional
recyclables, construction & demolition materials, a re-use center, and eventually a maintenance
facility for the specialized equipment needed to manage solid waste operations. Thus when the
Council refers to the 'Sort Station', we assume they are referring to all components of the
proposed EHRSS.
Questions Dosed by Mr. Tulang:
1. Is a Sort Station the only option for us to extend the life of the East Hawaii landfill?
Yes, it will effectively divert material from the landfill if implemented in conjunction with the
other components of the solid waste management plan outlined in the EIS (i.e. transfer
station enhancements, implementation of the State's beverage container deposit law,
implementation of commercial sector recycling strategies, and establishment of resource
recovery facilities including organics diversion and construction & demolition recovery).
2. Is the proposed Sort Station at an ideal location for our future waste reduction technology
(W RT)?
Yes, due to historic use of the area and availability of land. Comm. No. Z~• Z3
Ref. To;
Hnwai ~i County is nn equn/ opportunity provider and employer. Ref. UGfe
Aaron S. Y. Chung and Finance Committee Members
April 22, 2004
Page 2
3. Is the capacity of the proposed Sort Station large enough for our future WRT? Is it too
large?
Yes, it is large enough and no, it is not too large. The capacity of the Sort Station is
matched to current tonnage, with about 40% surge capacity. The recycling areas are
designed to be flexible and the transfer/re-load facility is designed to be expandable as
necessary. In addition, the acreage available to the County adjacent to the existing landfill
and encompassing the parcel currently used for the Hilo transfer station is 70 acres. It is
anticipated that a WRT will require 5 to 10 acres.
4. Will our commitment to a Sort Station limit our WRT options?
No. It enhances our options by providing a front end to recover materials not utilized in a
particular WRT. At this time, there is no WRT that can handle all elements of a Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) stream. A secondary benefit is it also serves as a replacement for our
Hilo transfer station chutes, two of which are so dilapidated they will soon be inoperative
and require expensive repairs.
5. Are there WRTs that do not require public investment in a Sort Station for East Hawaii?
There may be companies providing WRTs that will be willing to put up the capital to
construct a plant but such arrangements require long term contracts such that the vendor
recoups costs and makes a profit over the contract term. We will pay for the WRT either
upfront or through time.
6. Will the resources for the Sort Station be more effectively used by spending it directly into
our WRT?
No.
The plan is clear that the Sort Station is the first priority for implementation with the waste
reduction technology following. Also, the Council should be aware that delaying the construction
and operation of the Sort Station will expedite the initiation of long hauling waste to West Hawaii
and may result in massive closures to East Hawaii Transfer Stations due to the absence of the
re-load facility. Closures of any rural Transfer Stations will likely result in illegal dumping. In
addition, extending the life of the Hilo Landfill is not a given.
It is doubtful that the Council intended any of these consequences upon suggesting to exclude all
funding in the FY 04-05 Operating and CIP budgets associated with the proposed Sort Station. I
would hope these outcomes are of great concern to all Council members.
If you, or any Council member, would like to discuss any of the issues involved with this project
more fully, please feel free to contact me at 961-8083 or Lono Tyson, Solid Waste Division Chief,
at 961-8339. We are always happy to provide more information.
cc: Harry Kim, Mayor
Lono Tyson, SWD Chief