West Hawaii landfill expected to last 150 years
HILO —There’s really no “away” in throwing things away, but the West Hawaii landfill at Puuanahulu comes close.
Environmental Management officials predict the landfill has enough room for 150 years worth of garbage, even when, as expected, the Hilo landfill closes and all East Hawaii garbage goes there as well. The Hilo landfill has an expected one and a half to two years left, and there will be no new one built on the windward side of the island.
“There’s no question. That’s where it’s going,” Environmental Management Director Bill Kucharski said Thursday of the West Hawaii landfill. “Where else?”
The Hilo landfill, meanwhile has restricted the amount of large debris, such as construction waste, that can go to there, with larger loads redirected to Puuanahulu. Closing the landfill and monitoring it for the required 20 years will add another $20 million or more to the budget.
Read more: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-news/council-talks-trash-west-hawaii-landfill-expected-last-150-years