HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0800.005 2010-2012 -tr of ..
William P. Kenoi ; �Id� Dora Beck,P.E.
Mayor ; +; r �"��/ a; Acting Director
William T.Takaba
Managing Director •.•• •osi.1,41-
Counft of Phnzt`lY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
25 Aupuni Street • Hilo,Hawai'i 96720
(808)961-8083 Fax(808)961-8086
http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir envmng.htm
MEMORANDUM •
DATE : October 8, 2012
TO Dominic Yagong, Chairman
Hawai'i County Council
FROM : Dora Beck,P.E. L 1-'
Acting Director
SUBJECT: Response to September 21,2012 Memo
Referral of Bill No.286,Draft 2,for Review and Recommendation by the
Environmental Management Department Director
Please refer to Department of Environmental Management(DEM)testimony emailed on September 18,
2012.
cc: Hawai'i County Council Members
Bill Takaba, Managing Director
Sherman Warner,Environmental Management Commission Chair
Greg Goodale, SWD Chief
Linda Peters, Recycling Coordinator
enclosure
Comm. No. C'71) • S
Ref.
Ref. Date CT O1 Z01x
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Henry, Sharron
From: Henry, Sharron
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:44 AM
To: 'counciltestimony @co.hawaii.h i.us'
Cc: Beck, Dora; 'btakaba @co.hawaii.hi.us'; Goodale, Gregory; Peters, Linda; Torigoe, Ivan; Chin-
Chance, Chris
Subject: TESTIMONY- BILL 286 DR 2 9/19/12 COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ITEM
Importance: High
TESTIMONY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
RE BILL 286, DRAFT 2
SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 COUNCIL MEETING
CHAIR YAGONG AND HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS,
Information pertaining to available disposal and recycling options for commercial used cooking oil waste(UCO)and commercial fats,
oil and grease waste(FOGS)was recently brought to the Department of Environmental Management's(DEM)attention. This
information has led to several items of concern which if not addressed will negatively impact the County's current Solid Waste
management practices and commercial businesses that either generate or haul UCO and FOGs waste.
DEM understands the intent of the proposed code amendment prohibiting dumping of commercial cooking oil waste and
commercial FOGs at County Solid Waste facilities in order to promote recycling and reduce the materials entering the landfills.
However, DEM believes that the items of concern should be addressed through further discussion and thought before final approval
of this legislation.
Items of concern to DEM:
1. Lack of State Department of Health Permitted Facilities and capacity on this island to convert commercial UCO waste or
commercial FOG waste,or both into biodiesel or renewable fuel,compost or other marketable product. Recent
information indicates that there is one facility currently pursuing a permit to convert both commercial UCO and FOG waste
but this has not happened yet. In addition,there is one facility on this island that is permitted to receive only UCO from
commercial sources and process it into biodiesel though their permitted capacity is limited.
2. Absence of competition due to a very limited number of facilities who are permitted to process commercial UCO and FOGs
waste. This can be perceived as the County favoring a particular business.
3. Lack of a facility for the disposal of unwanted and non-recyclable commercial UCO waste and FOG waste prior to conversion
once the County Landfill is not allowed to accept this material. Currently,the West Hawai'i Sanitary Landfill(WHSL)is the
only facility permitted to accept FOGs for disposal.
4. Haulers and generators of UCO waste and FOG waste may not have been informed of this legislation that prohibits
commercial UCO and FOGs waste to the County Landfill. This could have an impact on their business practices if they need
to consider disposal/recycling alternatives.
Potential Problems that may arise as a result of this legislation:
1. To DEM's knowledge,there are no facilities on the West side of the island pursuing the status of a "permitted recycling
facility". The limited location, capacity and the availability of this service for users on both sides of the island could result in
increased transportation costs for haulers.
2. Discontinuing the solidification operation for unwanted and non-recyclable commercial UCO waste and FOG waste at the
(WHSL)may result in direct dumping of UCO and FOG waste into the County landfill and transfer stations.
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3. Pursuant to current County Code,the County Wastewater Treatment Plants do not accept FOG waste from haulers. The
options for the haulers are to bring this waste to the solidification operation at the WHSL. Discontinuing the solidification
operation may likely result in illegal dumping.
DEM Recommendation prior to finalizing this legislation:
1. The legislative branch should contact the affected haulers of UCO and FOG waste to see how this legislation will affect their
activities and business and provide a report of findings.
2. Wait until additional permitted recycling facilities capable of processing both UCO and FOGs are established on both sides
of the island before prohibiting UCO and FOG waste drop-off at the WHSL.
3. Request input from the Environmental Management Commission.
4. Consider separate legislation for UCO and FOGs as they are different commodities and have different permit requirements
when it comes to source, collection and processing parameters. Based on current information,the volume of UCO entering
the landfill is minimal and the volume of FOGs is much greater.
5. Consider legislation to include other wastes that would have a greater impact on our island like paper,green waste&food
waste.
Thank you for allowing us to testify on this legislation. If you have questions or need additional clarification, please don't hesitate to
contact me.
DORA BECK, P. E.
ACTING DIRECTOR
Sharron Henry
Secretary to the Director
County of Hawai'i
Department of Environmental Management
Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street
Physical Address: Puainako Town Center,
2100 Kanoelehua
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: 808.961.8083 or 808.981.8398
Fax: 808.961.8086 or 808.981.2092
Email: schenry(a�co.hawaii.hi.us
cohdemco.hawaii.hi.us
http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/environmental-management
Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer
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