HomeMy WebLinkAboutGP Draft Solid WasteSustainable Development and Resilient Communities
DRAFT
4.3: Solid Waste Management
Solid waste management has significant
effects on environmental and public health,
aesthetic qualities and land valuation, and the
general land use characteristics of a
community. Managing waste properly is
essential for creating sustainable and livable
communities. The handling of solid waste on
Hawai"i Island has undergone significant
changes in the past few decades, and to
maintain the environmental health of our
island community, it is important to shift from
a focus on waste management to a focus on
resource management. In 2009, the County
developed the Zero Waste Implementation
Plan (view the 2021 updated Plan) and since
then has implemented various programs
aimed at more efficient resource
management, including reducing waste,
waste diversion, and product reuse. Further
technical innovations, optimization of
efficiencies in directing the waste stream, and
effective waste programs focused on
increasing rates of reducing, reusing, and
recycling products will advance the County
toward meeting its Zero Waste goals.
The County of Hawaii currently manages the
West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill (WHSL) located
southwest of Waikoloa at Pu'uanahulu in the
North Kona District. The WHSL is operated by
Waste Management of Hawaii under a
contract with the County. The County
Department of Environmental Management
(DEM), The WHSL has an estimated lifespan
of 100 years with current recycling rates, as
determined by the County in 2019. Higher
rates of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling
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in the community may extend life expectancy
beyond 100 years.
The County currently operates a network of
recycling and transfer stations that accept
household refuse. The County does not
provide curbside recycling or garbage pickup.
Residents take their solid waste to any one of
the transfer stations around the island and in
some areas, residents pay private haulers to
pick up their refuse from their residences for
disposal at the landfill. The County is
presently expanding recycling activities at the
recycling and transfer stations by creating
recycling and reuse centers (RRCs).
Since 2009, the County has expanded its
green waste program. The County manages
two green waste facilities: the West Hawai"i
Organics Facility in Pu'uanahulu (WHOF) and
the East Hawaii Organics Facility in Hilo
(EHOF). The two green waste facilities accept
yard trimmings and untreated wood pallets
but do not accept food waste. In April 2017,
EHOF began processing and distributing
enhanced mulch that has been processed
through a 60-day "curing" period to kill
invasive species. Green waste bins have been
added to various recycling and transfer
stations.
Scrap metal is often the largest and heaviest
material collected at the County's recycling
and transfer facilities. Recycling scrap metal
will not only conserve limited landfill space
but also preserves natural resources by
replacing the need for raw materials with
recycled scrap metal to produce new metal
goods.
Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities DRAFT
Objective 28
Achieve Zero Waste in Hawai "i County by 2045.
Policies
28.1 Appropriately designed and cost-effective solid waste transfer station sites shall be
located in areas of convenience and easy access to the public.
28.2 Implement waste stream technology, such as recycling and upcycling and waste -to -
energy to reduce the flow of refuse deposited in landfills.
28.3 Proactively pursue funding that will ensure continued progression toward zero -waste
goals.
28.4 Optimize recoverable material diversion from landfill disposal by increasing percentage
rates for diversion through waste reduction, recycling, and reuse.
28.5 Encourage and support composting at farms.
28.6 Encourage salvage and reuse of building materials and elements when demolition is
necessary or appropriate.
28.7 Continue to develop and implement a green waste recycling program.
28.8 Incentivize opportunities for a circular economy, primarily upcycling and waste reuse by
incorporating Resource Recovery Parks.
28.9 Ensure that redesign plans for landfill and transfer stations provide adequate space for
Resource Recovery (RR) Stations.
28.10 Ensure waste and resource recovery facilities and equipment do not harbor, spread, or
introduce harmful or invasive species.
28.11 Site new solid waste/resource recovery facilities in appropriate areas that serve the
needs of population centers but that do not negatively impact the environment or
surrounding neighborhood.
28.12 Reduce illegal dumping and littering.
28.13 Minimize the amount of waste generated by County facilities.
Priority Actions
28.a Evaluate and amend the HCC to integrate strategies to maximize landfill diversion and
handle materials:
i. Source Separation Ordinance
ii. Codify prohibition of organic material (green waste) disposal at the landfill
iii. Construction & Demolition (C & D) Recycling Ordinance
iv. Take -back Ordinances (for items that are difficult to recycle or compost)
v. Codify County facility ordinance to require recycling at all County offices, facilities,
and base yards.
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Sustainable Development and Resilient Communities
DRAFT
vi. Continue the transition to eliminate the sale or use of polystyrene foam (Styrofoam)
and single -use plastic food containers and other single -use plastics DEM Phase 1
28.b Develop programs to require advance disposal fees for specific products such as new
electronics and new vehicles purchased in or shipped to Hawai"i. The fees from this
should be used to fund resource management and disposal costs. DEM Phase 2
28.c Conduct pilot studies to facilitate waste recovery and increase diversion rates. The
following types of pilot programs are recommended:
28.d Curbside waste, recycling, and resource pick-up in priority urban areas
28.e Partner/coordinate to facilitate the private use of large recycling roll -off bins in rural
areas. DEM Phase 2
28.f Reevaluate and initiate code changes to the fee structure for solid waste for residential
and commercial uses. DEM Phase 1
28.g Facilitate UH and/or Forest Service to complete necessary studies on local materials for
use in construction. R&D Phase 2
28.h Revise enforcement protocols and revise the HCC to empower police officers to fine
litterers and illegal dumpsites and junkyard owners. PD Phase 1
28.i Implement an education and social marketing program to educate the public and
business community about landfill diversion initiatives, preventing and reporting litter
and illegal dumping, and other responsible waste management opportunities.
DEM Phase 1
28.j Develop a county clean-up program for special waste areas, such as junkyards, to ensure
the proactive removal of materials that pose environmental and public health hazards.
DEM Phase 2
28.k Develop and promote take -back programs for appliances and other difficult to dispose
of materials. DEM Phase 2
28.1 Support expansions to the organic material (green waste) recycling program to include
drop-off and pick-up locations at all rural transfer stations. DEM Phase 1
28.m Adopt EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guideline program as a model for purchasing
products that use materials recovered through recycling. DEM Phase 2
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