Our island's sustainability depends upon how we manage our resources and our waste. And as an island community, our sustainability is even more fragile than other areas. We currently import the vast majority of our goods and fuel, and then grapple with disposal and energy issues.
Approximately 1.76 million tons of solid waste is generated in the City and County of Honolulu annually. Through the efforts of ENV's Refuse Division, approximately 1 million tons of solid waste (57 percent) are diverted from the landfill by energy recovery and recycling programs.
Oahu's landfill diversion rate is higher than the national average of 44-46 percent. But for an island community, landfilling is not a sustainable option. We need to do more. The Hannemann administration's goal is to divert as much waste from the current landfill as possible, and to utilize that waste as a resource to benefit the island.
Expand and enhance HPower
By 2011 to increase its capacity to convert solid waste to electricity. The City is in the process of increasing its waste to energy capacity by an additional 300,000 tons per year in 2011. This will result in a significant decrease in the amount of waste sent to the landfill and reduce our dependency on imported oil by approximately 1,000,000 barrels per year. At $75 dollars per barrel this amounts to some $75,000,000 per year to our economic benefit.
Expand recycling
Expand curbside recycling islandwide
The results from the curbside recycling pilot programs which began November 2007 in Mililani and Hawaii Kai are positive. We're ready to roll this program out to additional communities starting this fall.
We're incorporating approximately 40,000 homes every six months in four phases of expansion.
Increase community recycling bins
At the same time, the City is expanding the number of community recycling bins in all areas to increase convenience and support our schools. Under a new service contract, the City is adding 40 more schools to the program for a total of 120 islandwide recycling drop-off bins. Additional HI-5 only bins are provided to support collection events and fundraising campaigns. The new contract provides greater financial incentives to the schools to encourage more schools to join and increase participation from the community.
More information about these and other recycling efforts is available online at www.opala.org. Or call 768-3300.
The fourth annual Discover Recycling Fair is coming up September 25-27 at the Blaisdell Arena. The event, originated by Mayor Hannemann, has become the largest recycling education event in Hawaii. Geared for youth, teachers, families. It's a great opportunity to learn more about the world of recycling and find all the resources you need to do more with recycling at home, at school and at your business.
