HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0358.040 2004-2006 Murashige, Laura
From: Yen Chin [yenchin@igc.org]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 9:50 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us _ - ~ ] . ,
Subject: recycling
Dear Friend:
My wife and I recently moved to the Big Island from Seattle. One
aspect of the local culture that struck us immediately was the dearth
of recycling and the attendant absence of a recycling ethic. In
Seattle, recycling has become a normal activity for most residents, so
the act of separating paper, glass and other materials from household
garbage now comes almost as second nature to us. Consequently, we have
found it difficult to adjust to throwing everything into the trash
during our stay at a hotel as temporary residents. We will shortly
move to more permanent quarters and than do our best to make use of the
very limited recycling options that are now open to us. However, we
know how important cultural norms can be in influencing behavior, so we
worry that our recycling activities will become more difficult because
they will represent a consistent "swimming against the current".
Consequently, we support any program that helps develop systems that
encourage recycling such as the sorting station now under
consideration. However, we also advise caution in developing any
recycling program because of what we have witnessed in Seattle. The
real goal needs to be waste reduction not recycling. If recycling
supplants waste reduction efforts--as it has to a large degree on the
mainland--recycling will ultimately not serve the needs of the Big
Island community. If recycling becomes a palliative that allows a
continuation of wasteful consumption, it will serve no beneficial
environmental purpose.
In addition to considering the larger picture of waste production and
reduction, you will need to consider the short-term issue of what to do
with the materials collected through a recycling program. Is it
possible to develop a local processing business to handle these
materials, or will it be necessary to ship the materials far away?
Much of the paper collected in Seattle gets sent to Asia for
re-processing. Since paper represents by far the largest portion of
all materials collected, you would do well to consider the
environmental and financial implications of also sending paper to Asia.
Is there shipping capacity in that direction that now goes unused? If
so, this may be a good thing. If not, a successful collection program
may mean adding stresses to an already taxed system.
Good luck in making the right decisions.
Sincerely,
Yen Chin & Patricia Hoban
Comm. No. 3~0. 0
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