If Hawaii doesn’t begin to manage our waste products better, it risks losing its precious natural environment by saturating landfills. In a state that is composed of islands, where land – and thus landfill – is a limited commodity, the pr

However, problems exist with renewable energy sources that prevent an extensive use of this helpful tool in the islands. Mainly, renewable energy systems are capital intensive and accordingly, require a large initial capital investment. Also, electric utilities do not usually see the benefits of renewables, e.g., environmental advantages and economic and security benefits of non reliance on imported fuels, in their market decisions . Because all of the market power is mainly in the hands of the electric utility companies, this prevents alternative types of investments, including investments in renewable resources. A number of solutions must be incorporated by the government to entice companies into using renewables. There should be financial incentives for developers, such as tax credits, tax exemptions, or direct loans and grants, which lower the high initial cost of renewable energy systems. Additionally, development by the utilities of a competitive green power product that allows customers to exercise a preference for electricity from renewable energy sources would fly well, especially since many citizens are so environmentally conservative.

There are countless advantages and benefits of recycling. It conserves for future resources, prevents emissions of gases and pollutants, saves energy, provides raw energy for industrial sectors, creates jobs, and stimulates the development of greener technologies. If Hawaii continues in it’s current state, landfills will become plagued with overcapacity, pollution, and filth. For the sake of preservation of Hawaii’s environment, an extensive recycling program that extends from the individual citizen all the way to large industrial sectors needs to be developed.

Unfortunately, this system put into place is not enough. There must be an extensive recycling program developed in Hawaii to significantly reduce the amounts of wastes going into landfills before they are overwhelmed. There are several procedures that Hawaii can develop to solve this problem. Solid waste management exists in a hierarchy, with landfill and incineration at the bottom and source reduction, reuse, and recycling at the top. The first thing citizens at an individual level can do is reduce and reuse. Reducing the amount of discarded products decreases the amount of solid waste. The amount of trash can be cut back through consumer purchase of changed product packaging and content. This is called precycling or source reduction. Source reduction, often called waste prevention, means consuming and throwing away less. In the waste management process, this is the first and significant step in reducing the amount of waste that needs to be handled.

Some of the recycling programs implemented in Hawaii are a good start. Bars and restaurants are required to recycle glass; office buildings are required to recycle paper; and businesses that generate an excessive amount of food waste must recycle. There is also a ban and restriction on cardboard and green waste for businesses. However, this recycling program must become the main tool for reducing solid waste. This can be done in three ways. The first way is to enact state and local laws or requirements that require municipal trash programs in all communities, and also encourage offices and private companies to develop their own wast

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