HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0655.001 1996-1998 Recycling Systems Hnwau,'I~
Written Testimorgq of
Ululani Rosazio-General Manager & Vice President
January 15, 1998
Good Morning Council Members! Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to give my
testimorry.
1 felt it necessary to give this Council some back ground Information on the Glass Diversion
Program.
The Glass Diversion Program for the County of Hawaii affords all recycling companies the
opportunity to participate. The initial step Is the fllling out of an application fomm which oaks
questions such as experience and steps taken to provide the community with glass recycling.
The application )s reviewed by the Coup's Depatlme~ of Public Works. For the past two (2)
program years Recycling Systems Hawaii, Ina, Club Shoyu, and Enviro~ental Recycling have
been approved es Glass Recycler's and Processors. Similar to the Diversion Grant Program,
Contracts are submitted for each quartet of the program year. The contract is fast approved by
the Department of Public Worl~, and is sent to The Corporation Counsel where it is reviewed as
to the legality of the contrnd. After this, it is sent to the Finance Director and the Accounts
Department for the fimding approval. The final phase is the Mayor's Approval. When all of
these steps are rnmpleted, we nommally receive our contract. We are allowed to submit Claim
Forms on n monthly basis for payment. The Claim Fomm requires certified weight tickets for
processed glass, verification of on or off island markets, and a Buy Back Incentive Program.
Glass processors are paid for processed ghiss based on the total weight of processed glass. This
is verIfled with the Certified Weight Tickets which is submitted with the claim form.
It is important for everyone to know that this glass was diverted from the landfill. Funds for this
program come from the State of Hawaii which Imposes an Advance Disposal Fee on all glass
bottles that are Imported to the State. The Legislature and the Hawse Food Industry approved
this Advance Disposal Fee because they realized that there was a problem with the recycling of
glass containers. The problem is the low market prices and limited markets for glass, es well as
the cost of shipping off island. During this same legislative session The Clean Hawaii Center
was developed to help recycling companies with the marketing of all recyclables. The Clean
Hawaii Center is a division of the State of Hawari's Department of Business and Economic
Development. Cooagl. ~ ~ J
t*tls ~V _
fief. 2v~ Praswf W PG
P~f. FEB ] 2 19se
. .
Recycling Systems Hawau, Ins.
Written Testimony of
Ululani Rosario-General Manager & Vice President
On the island of Oahu, where there is a population of about one mllllon people, there are two
glass processing companies. Island Recycling and Hawaii Fnviro~ental Transfer Company.
Island Recycling ships his color separated glass off island and Hawaii Environmental gives their
glass to Hawaiian Cement Compazry, where they are substituting processed glass for mixing with
cement. Oahu's County government has ordinances requiring the separation of glass from the
waste stream. Glass processors are paid 5.08 per pound for processed glass. On the island of
Maui, there Is only one glass processor. Aloha Glass Recycling. They are given a grant on o
yearly basis, and market their glass locally. They recently made etrnngements for C. Brewer
Compamry to help market their glass as water fdtration and landscaping media. The island of
Kauai also has only one glass processor. J. C. Sandblasting and Glass Recycling. They use their
glass for sandblasting and uses some of the bottles with stenciled designs that are glass blasted
onto the bottles which they sell as "Coconut Wireless Glass."
Recycling Systems Hawaii, Inc. remanufadures processed glass into ma~+ different products.
We make planters, stepping stones, and decrnstive swlptures. The name of our product is
"Hawaiian Cracked Glass." We also sell bulk processed glass for lmdscaping, electrical and
plumbing cushion, and our glass has been tested and certified for road paving. We were recently
given an award by the City bt County of Honolulu's Partnership for the Environment. This
organization Is made up of all recycler's of the State of Hawaii, and is based on Business and
Government working together to reduce waste. Margaret Pahio end myself have developed n
working relationship with all the counties and the State government.
The funding of the glass diversion program has provided the employment of five people of our
community. Three were on welfare, one was on unemployment, and one was in prison. Our
people are happy working for us and being able to provide their femIlIes with an income.
We encourage cottage industries like Wicked W ick Candles, Fantasy Gardens, and Peak
Creations who use our processed gloss to make their own products. This is another opportunity
for our community to start new business using recycled glass.
Regarding this resolution to perforr an audit of the Glass Diversion Program, I feel that the
County Council should meet with the Department of Public Works on an informal basis. You
should all sit down and ask questions and look at the documentation that is submitted. Wiry
spend additional fiords to do an audit, when all the information is made available to everyone.
Conhacts and funding is public information.
'"4 ?
Recycling Systems Hawaii, In...
Written Testlmo~ of
Ululani Rosario-General Manager dt Vice President
Why not spend your valuable time on making the Diversion Grant Program en ordinance so that
recycler's don't have to scramble yearly for the funding of this program. How about n user fee for
waste disposalT A user fee would definitely enoournge more recycling and waste diversion. We
have a landfill that is scheduled to be closed, what ate our nlternntlvesT
I think that there are more important issues regarding waste diversion that need to be addressed.
I don t have any objections to your audit request, but I feel your questions can be answered with
the information that is available to the General Public.
I am here today to answer arty questions you have regarding the Glass Diversion Program.
Thnnkyoul