Members of the Honolulu City Council voted 8-0 to defer legislation requiring the city to ship up to 150,000 tons of garbage to the Mainland.

City Environmental Services Director Tim Steinberger testified against the resolution, arguing that the city needs the trash to fulfill a contract to provide trash for the HPOWER waste-to-energy facility. He also said allowing trash to be diverted from the city’s waste stream will cost the city $12 million annually in lost tipping fees revenue.

Meanwhile, Washington-based Hawaiian Waste Systems chief executive James Hodge said his company stands ready to ship trash to the Mainland, with or without a city contract. Hawaiian Waste Systems was the low bidder for the contract but city purchasing officials determined the bid was “no-responsive” to concerns that were raised.

Hawaiian Waste’s appeal to the city was denied. Hodge said he is now appealing the decision to the state Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.