HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2011-73 Draft 2COUNTY COUNCIL COUNTY OF KAUAI r No. 2011-73, Draft 2 RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE PRINCIPLES OF ZERO WASTE AS THE WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR THE COUNTY OF KAUAI WHEREAS, the volumes of solid waste generated by both residents and businesses in Kauai County are increasing while our landfill capacity is rapidly decreasing; and WHEREAS, the placement of materials in waste disposal facilities, such as landfills and incinerators, can waste natural resources, transfer liabilities to future generations, and be cost prohibitive; and WHEREAS, waste diversion technologies and strategies have improved over the past decade resulting in the significant reduction in the cost of recycling; and WHEREAS, the increasing cost of oil coupled with the continuing growth in worldwide consumption of our natural resources has' created strong, stable markets for recovered materials; and WHEREAS, conserving natural resources and reducing the demand for the energy required for the production of consumable products is of primary importance both locally and worldwide; and WHEREAS, Zero Waste Management has been recognized nationally and worldwide as an economically viable, sustainable system to manage our discarded products and materials while protecting and preserving the environment; and WHEREAS, the Ahupua`a system that was passed from Kupuna to Keiki for generations and utilized throughout the Hawaiian Islands from Mauka to Makai included Zero Waste Principles and continues as a guide for making sustainable decisions today; and WHEREAS, aresource-management-based economy will create and sustain diverse employment opportunities, creating useful products and services; and WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii diversion goal for each county was 50% in 2000, and the County of Kauai diversion rate was 25% in 2005, and the County of Kauai adopted its 2009 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan that projected a diversion rate of 35% for 2013; and WHEREAS, the Zero Waste Principles promote the highest and best use of materials to eliminate waste and pollution by emphasizing aclosed-loop system of production and consumption, moving in logical increments toward the goal of zero waste through the core principles of:
Improving "downstream" reuse/recycle of end-of--life products and materials to ensure their highest and best use;Pursuing "upstream" re-design strategies to reduce the volume and toxicity of discarded products and materials, and promote low-impact or reduced-consumption lifestyles;Fostering and supporting the use of discarded products and materials to stimulate and drive local economic and workforce development; and WHEREAS, adopting a goal of zero waste disposal and pursuing Zero Waste Principles is consistent with, and an explicit validation of, Kauai County's commitment to island-wide sustainability; and WHEREAS, strategies to reach Zero Waste can help achieve the over-arching goal of each generation, leaving a reduced ecological footprint on the Earth; now,therefore,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI,STATE OF HAWAII, that through its legislation, policies, and actions, Kauai County shall follow the concepts of Zero Waste Management to the greatest extent possible, and after deliberate consideration of the economic, social and environmental costs, the Council and the Administration will take steps to incorporate the Zero Waste principles into the implementation of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kauai County hereby adopts a diversion goal of 70% by 2023.BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Kauai County Council joins Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. and his Administration to call on all county employees, all branches all levels of government, -all residents, visitors, businesses, and the community to follow the concepts of Zero Waste, and take the necessary steps to incorporate the Zero Waste prlnciples into their daily lives at home, at work and throughout the County of Kauai.Introduced By: /s/ TIM BYNUM By Request)V:\CS OFFICE FILES\RESOLUTION\2010-2012\Term Repuest By Tim Bvnum ee-ds doc draft 2 c cuned e`l~6 0 1 0 C.P/6M.~CarCe O~e .,~. ~,..~.~,~ ~ ~Ca. 2011-Z~. ~~ 2 ti, ~,~.~,~,`e, .~ti, ~u~,,;.`;., ~. ~ 19, 2011.L~~d 10/19/201 >