Unisyn shuts down
Waimanalo facility

The recycling company says the
required upgrades are too costly

By Rod Ohira
Star-Bulletin

Unisyn Biowaste Technology is closing its controversial Waimanalo organic recycling facility, leaving behind a trail of unresolved issues.

In a written statement, attorney Terry Lee and developer Greg Kemp announced that Unisyn ceased operations yesterday and that the company will assist employees with job placements.

The company said it had been upgrading the facility and until recently was "prepared to invest significant funds into the company.

"Unfortunately, the estimated cost to complete improvements required by the government in addition to uncertainty about future requirements no longer makes the business economically viable."

Joe Ryan of Hilltop Equestrian Centre on Waikupanaha Street, the plant's leading critic, was "absolutely and remarkably surprised" by Unisyn's decision.

"The intensity of the smell is as bad as it's ever been, so my question now is who's doing the cleanup," Ryan said.

"Also, a lot of pollutants have gone into the reservoir and it has to be affecting Waimanalo Bay. Who's going to check on that now?"

Gary Gill, the state's deputy director for environmental health, sent a warning letter to Unisyn Feb. 17 advising the company that it was in violation of its solid waste permit.

"Unisyn provided needed recycling services, but an important part of any wastewater technology is its location," Gill said.

"There are very few good locations available. Anything near a residential area is going to generate opposition."

In the Unisyn case, there were mistakes all around, Gill said.

"In a nutshell, Unisyn as a company and technology grew and evolved faster than state and county regulations could keep up with, from when it was conceived as a small test facility to what it is today," he said.

"The whole technology has raised a number of questions, starting with adequate control of lease of state land to the definitions of agricultural use and major recycling facilities."

Gill said Unisyn had a technique that was "unique and viable" but which created problems with odor and the handling of wastewater. The problems are not insurmountable but costly, he added.

The Unisyn plant, on state land zoned for agriculture, was recycling 35 tons of wet waste and 35 tons of green waste a day, the company said.

Denise Anderson, purchasing manager for the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Hawaii, said Unisyn was providing a reliable service for removing wet waste -- which is food waste -- and should have received more support from the government and community.

"I'm very disappointed because Unisyn was the flagship and we should be supporting anything to do with recycling in Hawaii," said Anderson, who has been advised that Honolulu Recovery will be taking over Unisyn's services.