THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
117 |
TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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URGING THE COUNTIES TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A RESIDENTIAL CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, in 1991, a statewide comprehensive solid waste management policy was adopted through chapter 342G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, with the primary goal of reducing and managing the solid waste stream within our State; and
WHEREAS, this statewide policy was a first step toward protecting our limited natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the statewide policy encourages state and county governments to develop solid waste management plans and implement programs that focus on waste stream reduction, through -- among other methods -- recycling; and
WHEREAS,
despite this policy the State's landfills are near capacity in all counties, thus creating a health and environmental emergency crisis; andWHEREAS, the implementation of a recycling program would decrease the demand for landfill use. In the United States, recycling, including composting, diverted 130 million cubic yards of material away from landfills and incinerators in 1996. In 2005, the diversion rate resulting from recycling and composting is projected to reach 195 million cubic yards; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of recycling are numerous:
WHEREAS, the counties are key partners in the development of plans and implementation of solid waste management programs because they are the primary providers of solid waste collection and disposal services; and
WHEREAS, through chapter 342G, the counties are given the authority to implement and fund -- through a solid waste collection surcharge -- solid waste programs, including recycling; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that the counties are requested and encouraged to develop and implement residential curbside recycling programs to support the State's goal of reducing the solid waste stream; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor, the Chairperson of the Council of each county, and the Director of Health.
OFFERED BY: |
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Report Title:
Counties Development and Implementation of a Residential Curbside Recycling Program