HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-23 EMC testimony - Agenda V.2.2 - (06-22) Gordon, Miram FJune 22,2023
Hawaii Environmental Management Commission
Attention:Peter Sur
Re:Agenda Item V2.2 for the June 23,2023 meeting
Dear Commissioners:
I am writing to you on behalf of The Story of Stuff Project,an international organization with one
million members that inspires civic engagement in addressing the problem of too much Stuff in
our consumption-crazed culture.This letter is our written testimony regarding the proposed
ordinance to prohibit the landfilling of recyclable items.
We support the concept generally but oppose the proposal to encourage incineration as an
acceptable alternative to landfilling,as this is neither consistent with zero waste principles and it
would result in human health and greenhouse gas impacts that are unacceptable.The proposal
by Yummet to build a facility that employs technology that would turn waste into biochar and
concrete is associated with negative environmental impacts.Recent peer-reviewed analysis of
the negative impacts cites the following concerns:
●As a soil amendment,biochar may negatively affect the growing conditions of
microorganisms in the soil and crops-it is associated with toxic effects on plants and
inhibition of plant growth;and
●Biochar poses risks to aquatic environments,including accelerated eutrophication
(oxygen starved waterways that result in algal blooms)and pollution.1
For an additional review of the health and environmental impacts of waste incineration,we refer
you to the Global Alliance Against Incineration and their fact sheet on this topic.2
Hawai‘i County’s Life Cycle Analysis for recycling completed by the county concluded that
overall,“landfilling produces less carbon emissions and incurs less environmental
damage costs per ton of materials as compared to incineration.”Recycling was the best
option,even when factoring in shipping of materials to distant markets.Rather than pursue
expensive,potentially hazardous,and unproven technological fixes to the waste problem,we
urge the Commission to prioritize programs that eliminate waste by turning from single-use to
reusable products and packaging,and to focus on mechanical,closed loop recycling that
actually cut the use of virgin materials,and composting for organics like food and plant waste.
Sincerely,
Mir F.Gor
Miriam F.Gordon
Reuse Activator
2 https://www.no-burn.org/wp-content/uploads/Pollution-Health_final-Nov-14-2019.pdf
1 Xiang,L.,et al (2021),The Potential hazards of biochar:The negative environmental impacts of biochar applications,Journal of
Hazardous Materials,420/126611.