LIHU‘E — A report on the results of a recent waste assessment conducted in county offices showed a significant increase in waste diversion activities since the last assessment was made in 2009. Approximately 92 percent of all county offices now
LIHU‘E — A report on the results of a recent waste assessment conducted in county offices showed a significant increase in waste diversion activities since the last assessment was made in 2009.
Approximately 92 percent of all county offices now have the official blue HI-5 recycling bins and are actively recycling these types of beverage containers, according to a county news release. This represents a 40 percent increase over the previous assessment.
Another area where county employees are making a strong effort is in source reduction/reuse, the release states. For one thing, 77 percent are reviewing and editing documents electronically rather than printing them out just to do this, while 72 percent are using reusable dishware instead of disposables and 67 percent are making two-sided copies and printing on both sides.
Additionally, 62 percent of county employees reuse envelopes, and 51 percent are reusing paper that’s printed on one-side by converting them into scratch pads.
Interest in recycling non HI-5 containers, such as glass food jars and plastic food trays, is also on the rise in county offices. Fifty-three percent requested signage to promote this program, while 23 percent are already collecting these types of materials and transporting them to the Kaua’i Resource Center for recycling.
The report noted that in fiscal year 2011, county offices recycled 117,674 pounds or 59 tons of mixed paper, which was double the amount that was recycled in 2009. To boost this recycling effort, approximately 35 percent of county employees also have desk-side recycling bins.
Recommendations on ways to improve the county’s waste diversion efforts were also included in the report:
• Continue to educate employees about recycling containers by posting signs in break rooms.
• Encourage employees to have desk-side paper recycling bins.
• Eliminate or redesign unnecessary reports, forms and cover sheets.
• Set up printers and copiers to automatically print or copy on both sides.
The full waste assessment report will be passed on to the county’s Staff Level Green Team for the development of source reduction and reuse activities, according to the release.
