The County Council’s achievement of which I am most proud was redirecting our solid waste program away from a behemoth waste-to-energy mass burn incinerator plan that would cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, and instead moving our program in a direction more consistent with our county’s “recycle, reuse, reduce” solid waste policies and its agricultural priorities.
The County Council’s achievement of which I am most proud was redirecting our solid waste program away from a behemoth waste-to-energy mass burn incinerator plan that would cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, and instead moving our program in a direction more consistent with our county’s “recycle, reuse, reduce” solid waste policies and its agricultural priorities.
As passed by the council, our current program is a compost oriented plan including establishing a free “enhanced” mulch project that is now operational in Hilo and in Kona. (“Enhanced” mulch means mulch that has been processed to ensure that any invasive species have been destroyed.)
The new compost facility, expected to be operational by July 1, 2018, will make quality compost from our green waste and other compostables such as food scraps and soiled paper, that will be available at a reasonable fee to our farmers, landscapers, and residents alike — many of whom would otherwise continue to pay excessive sums to import compost from the mainland. The later start-up date for the compost program was necessary to allow for construction of the compost facility and to secure health department permits, which unfortunately is a lengthy procedure.
As with any solid waste program, concerns have been raised by those who reside in the general area where the compost facility will be constructed, and each of those concerns should be addressed in terms of ensuring nearby residents are not harmed by the facility.
In addressing residents’ concerns, the county might also consider allowing farmers and other residents in the general area of the facility be given special consideration — such as by way of a county credit for a certain amount of free compost annually.
But what is most important is that we do not allow these understandable concerns as to how the facility will be set up to result in aborting the planned compost facility — a response that would surly please the waste-energy industry.
To the extent there still remain questions about the potential impact this compost facility will have on nearby residents, I suggest the council provide a forum to discuss the status of the compost facility and how it implements the county’s solid waste policies, as well as how any residents’ concerns are being addressed.
Margaret Wille is a Waimea resident and former County Council member.