County Pays For Expert Advice And Then, Apparently, WasteStream Ignores It

One of our registered residents made me aware of the Zero Waste Implementation Study, discussed below. 

The County hired and paid consultants to evaluate Zero Waste Implementation, and then WasteStream paid no attention to the fact that these consultants concluded, that 6 sites, our current Hawi transfer station included, "have sufficient land to add more reuse, recycling, special discards handling and composting collection, processing and educational facilities and programs.”  See below for relevant excerpts from report.

WasteStream claim the opposite, in their opinion our transfer station cannot be expanded.  It is hard to understand, how they could reach such a conclusion, in light of the expert study paid for with our tax dollars.

Recycle Hawai‘i • Richard Anthony Associates
March 14, 2009

"Zero Waste Implementation Plan for the County of Hawai‘i • Recycle Hawai‘i • Richard Anthony Associates"

"Prepared under contract for:
County of Hawai‘i
Department of Environmental Management
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720"

"Researchers:
Paul J. Buklarewicz, Executive Director
Linda Damas, Special Projects
Recycle Hawai‘i
PO Box 4847
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
(808) 969-2012

Richard Anthony Associates
Richard Anthony, Principal
3891 Kendall Street
San Diego, California 92109
(858) 272-2905

Rich Flammer, Hidden Resources
Neil Seldman, PhD, Institute for Local Self- Reliance
Gary Liss, Gary Liss & Associates"

The following is quoted from the study: (For full text click on link above)
“The forward-thinking management of discards generated from products produced on the island or imported from the mainland or other countries outlined in this report represent job creation and economic stimulation that would not be achieved through land filling or incineration. Zero Waste involves mindfulness of the triple bottom line: Profit, people and the environment. A Zero Waste system encompasses economic growth and sustainability, a strengthening of community and social endowment, and enhancement of both local and global environmental quality. All are considered and included in the recommendations that follow.” Emphasis added.

“Six sites  (Kea‘au, Kalapana, Hilo, Kaauhuhu (Hawi), Ke’ei-Kailua and Waiohinu) have over ten acres and are located throughout the island. These larger sites have sufficient land to add more reuse, recycling, special discards handling and composting collection, processing and educational
facilities and programs.”  Emphasis added.

Frankly speaking, the above conclusion by these consultants makes a lot of sense, and matches the opinion expressed by many residents, myself included.