Oahu Food Waste Diversion May Increase Disposal Costs for Businesses

A citizen inquiry regarding the expansion of curbside food waste composting on Oahu signals a potential future shift in the city's waste management strategy. While current city services do not include curbside collection of food waste for composting, discussions around improving sustainability practices suggest this could be a future consideration.

The Change

Currently, Honolulu's residential waste management system separates recyclables (blue cart), yard waste (green cart), and general refuse (gray cart). Food waste is directed to the gray cart with general refuse. A recent query published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser questioned why Oahu does not offer a curbside composting service for food scraps, similar to systems observed in other U.S. municipalities like Brooklyn, New York.

This inquiry, while not a policy change itself, represents public interest and a potential indicator of future legislative or administrative action. Such a shift would likely involve significant changes to collection infrastructure, public education campaigns, and potentially, fee structures for waste management.

Who's Affected

Small Business Operators: Restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and other food-service establishments currently manage their food waste through existing disposal services, which may involve third-party haulers or municipal collection. An expansion of municipal curbside composting could present several implications:

• Increased Operational Costs: If the city mandates or incentivizes separation of food waste for composting, businesses may incur additional costs for specialized bins, separate collection services, or higher processing fees compared to current disposal methods.
• New Compliance Requirements: Businesses would need to implement new waste segregation protocols for staff and potentially educate them on proper separation.
• Potential for Reduced Landfill Tonnage Fees: If new composting services reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, businesses might see indirect savings, although direct costs for composting services could offset this.

Real Estate Owners: Property managers and owners of multi-unit residential and commercial buildings are responsible for arranging waste disposal services for their tenants.

• Contractual Adjustments: Property owners may need to renegotiate waste management contracts to accommodate new composting services or mandates.
• Infrastructure Modifications: Some buildings might require adjustments to waste collection areas to accommodate additional bins for compostable materials.
• Tenant Education: Implementing and managing new waste streams will necessitate clear communication and education for residents and commercial tenants.

Agriculture & Food Producers: While not directly impacted by residential curbside services, an increase in local composting infrastructure could present opportunities for sourcing high-quality compost.

• Organic Waste Stream: Businesses generating significant volumes of organic waste (e.g., unsold produce, food processing byproducts) could find new markets or processing options if city-wide composting expands.
• Compost Availability: Increased local composting could lead to a more readily available and potentially cheaper supply of compost for agricultural use, reducing reliance on imported fertilizers. However, the scale and quality of municipal compost would need to meet agricultural standards.

Second-Order Effects

An expansion of food waste composting on Oahu, driven by public interest and sustainability goals, could trigger several ripple effects within the island's unique economic ecosystem.

• Waste Management Contracts & Costs: Increased demand for specialized composting collection and processing services could lead to higher contract prices for businesses and property owners, directly impacting operating expenses and lease costs. This could indirectly affect consumer prices for goods and services.
• Landfill Capacity & Fees: Diverting significant volumes of food waste from landfills would extend their lifespan and potentially reduce landfill tipping fees. However, the initial investment in new collection infrastructure and processing facilities would be substantial, and these costs would likely be passed on through service fees.
• Green Economy Development: A robust composting program could foster the growth of local businesses involved in organic waste collection, processing, and the sale of compost, creating green jobs and supporting local agriculture.

What to Do

As this represents a potential future policy direction rather than an immediate regulatory change, the recommended action level is WATCH. Businesses and property owners should remain informed about discussions and proposals related to waste management and sustainability in Honolulu.

Action Details: Monitor Honolulu Department of Environmental Services (DES) public announcements, city council agendas, and waste management industry news for any formal proposals or pilot programs related to expanded food waste composting. Pay attention to any discussions regarding potential pilot programs or regulatory changes that could impact business waste disposal requirements or costs. If pilot programs are announced, assess their scope and consider participation for early insights.

Specific Guidance:

• Small Business Operators: Continue to adhere to current waste disposal regulations. When reviewing or negotiating new lease agreements or waste service contracts, inquire about potential future changes in waste management services and associated costs.
• Real Estate Owners: Stay informed about the Honolulu DES's strategic plans for waste management. Anticipate potential needs for additional waste infrastructure on properties and budget for potential fee increases or service changes in future budget cycles.
• Agriculture & Food Producers: Track the development of local composting initiatives. If new processing facilities emerge, investigate their specifications and pricing for potential sourcing of high-quality compost or new avenues for organic waste diversion.

This situation, while not demanding immediate action, requires proactive awareness to navigate potential future operational adjustments and cost changes within the Hawaiian business landscape.