Save Kauai brings together current information about Kauai and web-based tools that allow you to take action. If we want to affect the future of Kauai in a pono way we must organize and begin implementing solutions, not just fighting the problems.
Aloha 'Aina, Imua Kakou!
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Big Island plastic shopping bag ban lacks votes for veto override
Measure appears two votes shy of six needed for it to become law
By Associated Press
POSTED: 02:51 p.m. HST, Sep 27, 2008
HILO>> A measure that sought to ban plastic shopping bags on the Big Island lacks enough votes on the County Council to override a veto.
Acting Mayor Dixie Kaetsu vetoed the plastic bag ban, and some members of the County Council planned to try to force the measure into law.
But it appears the veto override attempt can only muster four votes, short of the six favorable votes needed.
The measure was recently approved on a 5-3 vote before the veto.
Councilmembers who supported the ban say plastic bags cause environmental problems, but Kaetsu was concerned it would have a negative effect on nonprofit groups and school organizations that regularly use plastic bags.
HILO>> A measure that sought to ban plastic shopping bags on the Big Island lacks enough votes on the County Council to override a veto.
Acting Mayor Dixie Kaetsu vetoed the plastic bag ban, and some members of the County Council planned to try to force the measure into law.
But it appears the veto override attempt can only muster four votes, short of the six favorable votes needed.
The measure was recently approved on a 5-3 vote before the veto.
Councilmembers who supported the ban say plastic bags cause environmental problems, but Kaetsu was concerned it would have a negative effect on nonprofit groups and school organizations that regularly use plastic bags.
The Updated Solid Waste Management Plan has been released
Please see attachment below.
With the Kekaha Landfill close to maximum capacity and few options for recycling, we are all well aware of the waste problem on Kaua’i. The draft upgrade for the county’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan was released on November 16th (see attachments above). Public comment will be accepted after a 60-day review process. Although the new plan includes recommendations that would bring Kaua’i to a 35% waste diversion rate within five years, a lot of concerns remain. The draft plan does not include essential “Maximum Reduce, Re-use and Recycle” facilities, such as a materials recovery facility. Instead, it recommends building an expensive and polluting Waste to Energy (WTE) Facility.
For more information about the problems with Waste to Energy Facilities and sustainable alternatives, see the attachments above. Zero Waste Kaua'i is a committed group of citizens that advocates for a "Max 3R's" (recycle, reduce, reuse) approach to our waste stream. Their current goals are: island-wide curbside recycling, including green waste to provide us with soil enriching compost; to turn our trash into a resource; to ban Styrofoam & plastic; and most importantly to be wiser consumers, insisting on cradle to cradle design. To learn more about ZWK's projects, visit http://zerowastekauai.org. Their meetings are posted on the Save Kaua'i Calendar.