Hawai'i folks among nation's trashiest
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Hawai'i residents on average discard more waste than the rest of the country and are less likely to recycle, according to a report by a Joint Legislative Task Force on Waste Management and Recycling.
Amid the unpopularity and expense of establishing new landfills, existing dumps on all islands are filling up too quickly, says the report, which was issued last week.
The findings underscore the need for the state and its four counties to work cooperatively toward expanding recycling efforts and seeking waste diversion technologies.
"Given the limited space for landfills in the islands and the high cost of land in Hawai'i, including financial, social and environmental costs, the legislative task force recommends that government and industry explore the use of waste processing alternatives to disposal . . . and make drastic improvements in ... recycling policy and implementation," the report states.
Hawai'i produces a per capita average of 6.2 pounds of solid waste per day compared to 4.4 pounds nationwide, according to the report. Meanwhile, 2002 figures show Hawai'i's recycling rate for all counties just more than 28 percent, less than the nationwide average rate of 34 percent.
The task force also concluded that illegal dumping is occurring "at unacceptable rates" and that the state and counties have been slow to embrace recycling initiatives.
The task force report calls for "an expedited search and evaluation" of alternative disposal methods including combustion technologies, thermal gasification and anaerobic digestion.
Former state Sen. Melodie Aduja, who chaired the task force, said she believes that thermal polymerization, a form of thermal gasification where municipal waste would be transferred into oil, may possibly be the best alternative, if proven to be cost-effective.
"We've got to look forward and see what kind of waste management would be best," Aduja said.
The report also recommends the state establish a solid waste management board consisting of public and private sector representatives. It also suggests that economic assistance be provided to the counties to upgrade existing landfills and improve public education about waste management.
Sen. Kalani English, who chairs the Senate Energy, Environment and International Affairs Committee, said he had not seen the report but believes it will provide "good guideposts" for state and county leaders to follow.
English, D-8th (E. Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i), said he will forward the report to county leaders, noting that many of the topics raised in the document are "home rule issues" that should be dealt with at the municipal level.
Last week, after months of discussions, the Honolulu City Council voted to keep O'ahu's existing public landfill at Waimanalo Gulch in operation rather than place a new dump elsewhere.
Mayor-elect Mufi Hannemann said he wants to see the landfill closed by 2008.
Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
