The Hawaii Department of Health has cited Sanford’s Service Center Inc. in Pahoa for operating a solid waste management facility without a state permit.
The department announced on Monday the filing the Notice of Violation and Order against Sanford’s. The violation occurred at the Sanford’s Service Center facility at 13-3820 Pahoa-Kalapana Road in Pahoa.
The department said that since 2004, Sanford’s Service Center accepted and disposed of more than 8,000 tons of green waste without a solid waste management permit. In 2013, the company also accepted construction and demolition waste at its facility without a permit. The large amount of green waste at the site poses a potential environmental hazard because of the risk of vectors and fire.
The state said the company was not cited for violations from Aug. 6 to 15, 2014, when state solid waste statutes were suspended due to conditions brought about by severe weather from Tropical Storm Iselle. Based on an investigation of the site conducted in 2014, DOH imposed a penalty of $25,000 and ordered the facility to cease accepting solid waste, implement a corrective action plan for accumulated green waste, and remove and properly dispose of all construction and demolition waste.
The facility paid the penalty and has submitted a plan to correct the violations, the state DOH said.
The Solid Waste Section of the Department of Health regulates standards governing the design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of solid waste disposal, recycling, reclamation, and transfer systems. Such standards are intended to prevent pollution of the drinking water supply or waters of the state; prevent air pollution; prevent the spread of disease and the creation of nuisances; protect public health and safety; conserve natural resources; and preserve and enhance the beauty and quality of the environment.