Task force to tackle waste

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

A joint task force assigned to look at ways to dispose of trash and toxic waste in the state convenes this morning at the Waimanalo Gulch landfill.

Among other things, the task force, made up of state legislators and county lawmakers from each of the islands, will look at recycling options and better landfill management.

"Waimanalo Gulch is authorized to run for another five years,'' said state Sen. Melodie Aduja, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), who will head the task force. "But I've been told that with proper recycling, it could last another 20 years."

Today's sessions will focus mostly on educating task force members on the current status of waste management and problems with illegal dumping, she said. In addition, the members will also look at recycling programs used in other states.

"We are at least 20 years behind," she said. "When I was in law school 20 years ago, San Francisco had curbside recycling."

Prompt action is essential, she said, pointing to the mercury contamination suffered by Pu'uwai Momi housing complex residents after children played with the chemical they found improperly disposed in a Pearl Harbor Naval Base pump house, and the boy who accidentally injected himself with atropine after finding medical wastes in a trash heap near his home.

Old refrigerators and air conditioners also pose a problem for landfills because coolant gases are hazardous. Those gases could be recycled, she said. At least one Hawai'i firm is capable of recycling cars and exporting the scrap metal, she said.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.