by Richard Billman, Maui Meadows
Subject: Brief description of March 23, 2015 Recycling Mtg in Pukalani
UPCOUNTRY SUSTAINABILITY and HAWAIIAN ALLIANCE FOR PROGRESS, educational (not political) groups recommended “Story of Stuff” for garbage info. Part of “Zero Wast Maui”, the four speakers were all part of early recycling efforts on Maui from the 1990s.
1. Tom Reid of Aloha Recycling explained that recycling is under jurisdiction of the state Dept of Health and Maui County. His company’s practices keep trash of value out of the landfill. Aloha Recycling used to recycle glass here on Maui, but that effort was discontinued by the County. WHY? Tom mentioned an attempt to shut down recycling centers (which failed) where we can bring our stuff. WHY? He discussed the “agreement” between the mayor’s office and ANAERGIA, a waste-to-energy facility; details “to be announced”.
2. Kelly King of Pacific BioDiesel, which makes fuel from recycled cooking oil, which keeps it out of the landfill. She discussed uses and profitability of biodiesel. Company has expanded to Oahu and Big Island, but Maui county shut them down. WHY? Recommended “Revolution Green” movie.
3. Brittany of Maui EKO System discussed transformation of green waste into compost, a valuable commodity, keeping it out of the landfill.
4. Jeff Stark of Zero Waste Resolution group, which was once a paradigm for Maui county, discussed our previous success rate of 43% which is decreasing, instead of following such cities as San Francisco (85%) and Seattle (80+%) diversion rate (% of trash diverted from landfill). Why are we going backward? Why terminate 3-can recycling plan which was working well? Why not expand it island-wide?
This meeting uncovered more questions than answers, mainly due to the tight lips of the Maui County Administration. There are questions to be asked at next Tuesday’s budget hearings. Questions for Doug McLeod, former County of Maui Energy Commissioner. Questions for the Mayor about the ANAERGIA agreement. Questions for the County Council members as to the future of recycling on Maui . And questions about ANAERGIA.