The three Rotary clubs of West Maui invite West Maui residents to participate in an online environmental survey on composting. This survey is the first step in the three clubs’ environmental project to reduce the amount of waste going into the Maui landfill. The three Rotary clubs – Lahaina Sunrise, Lahaina, and Lahaina Sunset – have partnered with Malama Maui Nui, a non-profit organization whose mission is to care for Maui’s environment, to undertake this environmental project. Malama Maui Nui estimates about 50% of waste currently going into the Maui landfill is organic material – food waste and household paper – that could otherwise be composted. Composting reduces the volume of organic material by 80% and produces a helpful soil supplement to be used in home gardens and farms.
“The environmental mantra has three parts – reduce, reuse, recycle”, says Kelsey Briggs, President of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset. “For seven years our club has partnered with the County of Maui, Malama Maui Nui, and 5A Rent-A-Space to focus attention on the third part of the mantra by sponsoring West Maui’s monthly Go Green Recycling events. Since 2015 the Go Green Recycling events have allowed West Maui residents to recycle nearly 2 million pounds of appliances, electronics, scrap metal and vehicle batteries and tires.” “Now”, says Briggs, “with the help of the other two West Maui Rotary clubs, we’re turning our attention to the important first part the environmental mantra – reduce. We’ll need West Maui residents’ help to make a difference.”
Residents can access the online community survey on composting through the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/266G3W5. Residents taking the survey may request more information on composting and/or a free presentation on composting for their neighborhood or community group. The survey is also accessible from the website of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset: www.RotaryClubofLahainaSunset.org.
For more information about this community service contact Project Chair Jim Fahnestock at mauijimf@gmail.com