HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0358.021 2004-2006 Hawaii County Council Firtance Committee Meeting 8/Iti/OS
Testimony of Scott H. Robertson (Project Coordinator for Kea'au Recycling
and Reuse tatter)
Aloha Council members; 1 have come here this morning to talk about
The benefits of recycling above and beyond the dollars and cents figures
You have recently been studying. 1 ague that costs should be known and 1
applaud your e(T'orts to find out what the true monetary costs of recycling
are here on the Big Island. However 1 think we must also look at the
intangible costs and benefits involved with recycling. 'Ihe most direct
benefit of recycling is the saving of space in our all ready crowded landfill.
(filter indirect benefits include a cleaner environment for ourselves and our
children and grandchildren. With mare Council suplx,rt programs could be
started locally to use recyclables to form new cottage industries. This would
allow for more of what we arc recycling to stay nn the Island and benefit our
economy as well as the residents. As oil prices rise at historic levels it
only makes sense for us to explore ways to use the materials already on our
island home and save on the shipping costs of bringing in raw materials.
1 have worked at the Kea'au Recycling and Reuse center for over two years
And have listened to the praise as well as the criticism of the public. Praise
For the effort to get recycling started and criticism that more has not been
done at this time. The number of people who make recycling a weekly habit
has grown since the start of the Kca'au project. I have also been amazed by
the growing number of people who travel from F Lilo since the
Closing of the BSH recycling center. I would urge you to get another
Recycling center going in Hilo as soon as possible. F finally I would like to
Discuss the benefits of having a Reuse center at various recycling centers.
The Kea'au Reuse center has become an integral part of the Kea'au and
lower Puna communities. Families who would otherwise do without
(fiat the chance to get items needed. Such items include clothes, dishes,
school supplies and other needed items all at low or no cost to them.
Msny people who donate items say they like the idea that their items will
go to people who live in the Puna community. (fibers arc just happy
they do not have to drive to F~ilo to donate their unwanted items. In my view
the indirect benefits of recycling far outweigh the costs of running
these programs. 1 would like to encourage any members of the council who
have not visited our Kea'au site to do so. A little time spent observing and
talking to members ofthe public who use our facilities may convince yoyu,
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Of how much these cype of programs arc wanted and needed. 'thank ya, ra
y«u time and attrntion.