FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  October 18, 2005

Release M-81

MAYOR ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN RECYCLING PLAN  

Mayor Mufi Hannemann today announced the City is canceling its plans for a new curbside recycling service. Three bids were submitted in May, but one of the bidders protested the apparent low bid. In addition, questions have been raised whether the bidders had all the required state pollution control permits.

“We’re canceling this because it’s taking way too long,” said Hannemann. “The legal challenges over the contract would have delayed implementation for many months. Meanwhile, much has changed since the prior administration committed the City to curbside recycling. The advent of the state beverage container deposit law over the past year and rising fuel prices present new challenges to curbside recycling.

“In order to achieve our goal of recycling more of Oahu’s trash, we will beef up our assistance to the schools and encourage them to expand their recycling programs, and we are going to work  with the state to really strengthen those efforts.”

The City plans to:

·       Deploy more white recycling bins at Oahu schools.

·       Distribute more 96-gallon green recycling bins to the schools.

·       Help the state establish more HI5 redemption sites.

·       Hold a comprehensive recycling fair.

In addition, the City will explore expanding its green-waste recycling program in residential and commercial sectors. Currently the City provides free curbside pickup of green waste twice a month only in residential areas.

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Contact: 

Eric Takamura,   Director of Environmental Services, 692-5159

Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767