HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-17 County terminates composting contract -- News Release
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
NEWS RELEASE
February 17, 2017
HAWAI’I COUNTY TERMINATES COMPOSTING CONTRACT, SEEKS
ALTERNATIVES
Mayor Harry Kim on February 16, 2017 signed a termination of a composting
contract that was deemed disadvantageous to the County of Hawai’i.
The County informed the contractor, Hawaiian Earth Recycling, LLC (Hawaiian
Earth Recycling), that the Service Agreement for the Organics Diversion Program in
East Hawai‘i and West Hawai‘i with the County of Hawai‘i will be terminated as of
June 30, 2017.
The Mayor said that he had no issue with the performance of Hawaiian Earth
Recycling, and that he believes that composting is an important part of any waste
reduction program. He stressed the significant role that composting holds in the County
of Hawai’i.
“The two areas of concern were the financial commitments of the County, and
the limited nature of the contract regarding composting,” Mayor Kim said.
Hawaiian Earth Recycling will continue current operations until the official
termination date of June 30. All terms and conditions of the current contract will remain
in place until the termination date.
According to William Kucharski, the Director of Environmental Management
(DEM), the Mayor instructed DEM to develop a plan to ensure a continued mulching
operation with a new contract.
“The goal is to have a seamless operational transfer of the very successful
mulching operation,” Kucharski said.
The Mayor directed DEM to create a comprehensive waste minimization/waste
diversion plan, and to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek an islandwide
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
solution to the County’s solid waste disposal issues, Kucharski said. He said that the
Mayor wants to develop a process leading to a dramatic reduction in waste disposal,
with a commensurate increase in overall recycling and material reuse, in compliance
with the Integrated Solid Waste Plan requirements.
For further information, please contact William Kucharski at the Department of
Environmental Management at 961-8083.
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.