Council questions recycling program

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

City Council members today expressed their worry that the proposed curbside recycling program represents a less-than-desirable deal for the city and may increase the illegal dumping that already plagues O'ahu.

The council's Public Works Committee heard a presentation by Frank Doyle, the city's acting director of the city Department of Environmental Services, and recycling coordinator Suzanne Jones, outlining the program that's set for a July 1 launch.

Doyle said the program's pilot phase in Pacific Palisades pointed out potential pitfalls — including the need for public education on how to prepare recyclables for collection and minimize infestation of flies and maggots in accumulating rubbish — and that the full-scale program should be ready to start on time.

However, committee Chairman Mike Gabbard voiced his concern about the short deadline, and council members Gary Okino and Barbara Marshall both asked whether the limited capacity in collection carts may lead homeowners to dump their green waste rather than buy extra cans at $70 each.

Doyle acknowledged the program will take monitoring.

In addition, committee member Ann Kobayashi questioned the idea of putting the city into a "monopoly situation" by contracting with a single company to handle green waste. Hawaiian Earth Products Ltd., manufacturer of Menehune Magic products, will receive a $3.5 million annual payment to process the green waste into compost and mulch.

"We're picking up for them, giving them the waste, paying them $3.5 million, and they're going to sell the products," Kobayashi said. "I think they have a good deal; I don't know about us."

Allan Gottlieb, one of the company partners, defended his firm by pointing out that Hawaiian Earth Products has saved the city money as contractor for the Windward Oahu green waste program.