HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-28 EMC testimony (09-27) Zavalney, KatrinaFrom:Katrina Zavalney
To:Sur, Peter
Subject:Testimony to improve Hawai"i county"s recycling infrastructure - agenda item VII – 1
Date:Tuesday, September 27, 2022 9:43:54 AM
Testimony to improve Hawai'i county's recycling infrastructure - agenda item VII – 1
Aloha,
Thank you for taking in testimony on agenda item VII – 1 this matter to
improve Hawai'i county's recycling infrastructure that affects everyone on
the island regarding what people do with their discards, waste, recycling,
and resources.
It is important that there is the appropriate support, infrastructure, and
resources directed to make the waste & resources management
successful. I am aware of the well written and researched Request for
Information Report that was submitted for Hawai’i County for the EPA
Recycling Infrastructure funding, based off a needs assessment with a large net
of stakeholders on the island, who gave their input on needs for recycling
infrastructure. The EPA will prioritize funding projects where there is a
coalition of public and private entities working toward improving recycling
systems.
To support the build out and obtain the EPA funding that must go
through the county or state, I ask the EMC to recommend to the county
council that they fund a facilitator to organize meetings with
stakeholders ahead of the release of the Request for Applications
(RFA) that is expected to come out this fall. Waiting until the RFA comes
out will not allow for much time to coordinate stakeholders in the
development of an application. We need the coalition development to
happen now, and a qualified facilitator has been identified to be
recommended for facilitating this forward. It would be helpful if the EMC
recommend to the county council that they fund a grant writer for this
opportunity, if R&D does not have the capacity to do so. It takes a village
to support a village, if we all work together this can get done. Utilizing the
input given from the community needs assessment, stakeholders, and
developing a coalition where input can get refined into a strategy and
proposal with a modest budget to develop the infrastructure on handling
waste and recycling is the way forward. We need your support! Mahalo for
your time, consideration, and service.
Kind regards,
Katrina Zavalney
Executive Director, Founder
Aranya Solutions
P: 503-459-1345
E: Katrina @AranyaSolutions.com
W: www.AranyaSolutions.com
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