Resolution 20-119- Landfill “Buffer Zones”
Res20-119 Introduced by Councilmember Tommy Waters, (District 4) on May 13, 2020
What it is:
Proposing an amendment to Chapter 21, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 1990 (the Land Use Ordinance) pertaining to the siting of waste disposal and processing facilities to improve quality of life and protect public health and safety. Read it here.
Our Take:
Oʻahu Group has a longstanding investment in protecting our natural resources and access to clean air, water, and healthy living conditions. We believe in the resolution’s goal to increase the proximity between homes and landfills so that the LUO may reflect the imperative need to protect community health. Living within three miles of a landfill site is damaging to human health. Residents are exposed to chemicals from the landfill through leachates in the air, water, and soil. Such facilities are located near working class, economically vulnerable communities, raising environmental justice issues. We hope that this resolution may begin a larger discussion around our broken and unjust waste management systems on Oʻahu.
Why it matters:
COAL ASH & HEALTH CONCERNS
In specific regards to the PVT Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility construction and demolition landfill. We stand with the Nānākuli community in their push to have the PVT relocated to a site that will not pose a health risk to any community or natural resources.
The current PVT landfill has been operating in Nānākuli and Māʻili at its current location since 1985. The facility takes up to 3,000 tons of construction waste per day. Materials containing asbestos are allowed at the PVT Landfill, if wrapped in 6mm of plastic. Both asbestos and plastics are known hazards to the environment and public health. On top of those typical waste toxins associated with landfills, the PVT Landfill also takes highly toxic coal ash from AES Hawaiʻi, LLC and fills their grounds daily as interim cover to “prevent fire hazards.” In 2018, PVT reported using a total of 57,217 tons of coal ash, out of a total of 430,000 tons (13.3%). This far exceeds the 12,400 ton threshold.
Coal ash pollution contains high levels of toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, selenium, and other cancer-causing agents. Unfortunately, this highly toxic material is not subject to federal protections, and state laws governing coal combustion waste disposal are weak or nonexistent. The toxins found in coal ash have been linked to organ disease, cancer, respiratory illness, neurological damage, and developmental problems. People living within one mile of unlined coal ash ponds can have a 1 in 50 risk of cancer—more than 2,000 times higher than what the EPA considers acceptable. This accumulation of toxins increases health risks for workers and residents everyday.
POLLUTION & GREENWASHING LANDFILLS
Our island’s largest waste facilities all share their ability to turn trash into energy. This claim often poses these facilities as partners in our renewable energy goals. However, “renewable natural gas” (RNG)-- also called biogas-- is mostly methane, almost identical to fossil fuel fracked gas. High levels of methane makes the collected portion of the landfill gas potentially attractive as a source of energy and, for the landfill operators, as a source of revenue from the sale of energy to utilities and other customers. While RNG can play a limited role in carbon abatement, the analysis shows that RNG is- limited in supply and scalability, has detrimental environmental and air quality impacts, especially on frontline communities, and in some cases, can end up increasing GHG emissions.
NOT IN ANYONE’S BACKYARD
Both Waimanalo Gulch Landfill and PVT C&D Landfill have shared they are reaching their capacity. The attempts to find alternative locations or expansion are highly contentious and controversial. The issue of deciding on sufficient and appropriate locations for our waste management facilities is one of justice, as well as environment. No single community should suffer the burden of our state’s energy supply or waste management facilities. The Hawaiʻi State Constitution affirms that everyone in Hawaiʻi should have a “clean and healthful environment” (Article XI, Sec. 9). It is within the interest for the Honolulu City Council to follow suit and protect every community from the health risks associated with landfills.
Failing to explore other locations gives the impression that there are no feasible alternatives to the proposed location. Considering that there is only one Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste facility available in the state, their proposed action to expand appears forced upon the residents of Waiʻanae with no other viable options to consider.
INCINERATION ISSUES & PROTECTING ECONOMIC HEALTH
The national Sierra Club opposes incineration of all kinds. Incineration is not considered acceptable because of its adverse environmental and health effects and the destruction of materials that could be conserved while saving energy through other management methods. Incineration is a form of destructive disposal and no types of incineration including “waste to energy” are considered recycling. HPower Plant currently has two incineration burners and takes up to 3,000 tons of trash per day currently operates on a system that disincentivizes traditional recycling.
Civil Beat reported how the municipal H-POWER Plant, operated as part of a public-private partnership with Covanta, is an economic hazard for Honolulu. Under contract until 2032, the article states, “from 2013 to 2016 the city paid out $6.2 million to cover the tons it missed.” On top of that, the city also pays separate annual penalties to Hawaiian Electric Co. when the local utility can’t produce enough electricity. HECO penalties have totaled more than $2.7 million in the past six years. Environmental Services Director Lori Kahikina shared, “we have a put or pay contract (with Covanta), and unfortunately we’re stuck”. As the city reconsiders waste facilities' health impact on communities, we encourage you to rethink this unfair contract, and protect economic health as well.