ESTABLISHING CITY POLICY ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND REQUESTING A DETAILED STUDY ON THE RECYCLING OF SUCH WASTES.

    WHEREAS, since the shortage of appropriate landfill sites in Hawaii for the disposal of solid waste material is becoming progressively more acute, it would be in the public's best interest to encourage the recycling and reuse of waste materials when economically feasible; and

    WHEREAS, recycling would also help to conserve energy and natural resources, and assist in preserving the natural beauty of Hawaii; and

    WHEREAS, recycling has grown to become a viable industry in other municipalities across the U.S.; and

    WHEREAS, in view of the above, the opportunity to recycle should be provided to every person in the City and County of Honolulu; now, therefore,

    BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu that the following statements, listed in descending priority, be adopted as City policies for the management of solid waste in the City and County of Honolulu:

    (1)    To reduce the amount of solid waste for disposal.

    (2)    To reuse waste material for the purpose the material was first produced.

    (3)    To recycle or compost waste material that cannot be reused.

    (4)    To produce or recover energy from the waste material that cannot be reused or recycled, provided that the quality of air, water, and land resources is not significantly degraded thereby.

    (5)    For solid waste that cannot be reused, recycled, or converted into energy, to dispose of such waste by methods approved by the Department of Public Works.

and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Works is requested to conduct a study containing the following components:

    (a)    A determination of the feasibility of recycling at least the following forms of solid waste:

    (1)    Paper products, including high grade white and colored paper, mixed paper, magazines, newsprint, sheet cardboard, and corrugated paper.

    (2)    Metal and glass products, including aluminum, steel, and glass.

    (3)    Used oil.

    (4)    Batteries for small electrical appliances and for motorized vehicles.

    (5)    Large gas and electrical appliances.

    (6)    Plastic products.

    (7)    Miscellaneous wet trash.

    (8)    Hazardous and toxic wastes.

    (b)    A comparison of the economic feasibility of recycling with landfilling and other methods of waste disposal, considering direct and indirect cost factors such as tipping fees, the environmental impact of various waste disposal methods, the collection of solid waste from households and businesses, the complaints and health risks of residents adjacent to landfills, and the viability of existing private recycling firms.

    (c)    A plan to minimize the incineration of materials such as plastic whose incineration would produce air pollution and toxic ash.

    (d)    A plan to encourage recycling by neighborhoods and communities, utilizing economic incentives and a public education campaign, including a detailed budget therefor.

    (e)    A plan describing specific annual goals for the City regarding the percentage of solid waste that will be recycled.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study and plans shall be prepared in cooperation with other counties in the State to ensure that any economies of scale in solid waste disposal can berealized and that solid waste disposal is accomplished with minimal environmental harm; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Public Works submit a copy of the requested study and plans to the Council by March 31, 1989; and

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    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Public Works, the Mayors of the four counties in the State of Hawaii, the Governor, the State Director of Health, and to Hawaii's Congressional Delegation.

                         INTRODUCED BY:

                         Gary Gill

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                                Councilmembers
DATE OF INTRODUCTION:

August 17, 1988
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Honolulu, Hawaii

ADOPTED this 15 day of February , 1989.

(OCS/080888/pn)

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Policy Resolutions