Recycling beach trash received strong support
Thank you for the recent article on the new pavilion at Island School made from recycled beach trash. The Surfrider Foundation is proud to have taken a lead in seeking a solution to the island’s plastic trash problem.
We are especially optimistic because Mayor Kawakami seems very open to new ways of dealing with this problem. The building dedication was attended by key county administrators from the County Building Department, solid waste and sustainability.
Of course, long term, recycling and re-use will not solve the problem of factory fishing nets and consumer single-use plastic, but this problem has to be approached from all directions. We are very grateful for the county plastic bag ban.
We want to thank all the folks who participated in this project, it couldn’t have been done without a community stepping up, working on weekends and donating time and materials: Brower Construction, Architects Kauai, Island Truss, Kick Ass Concrete, Aloha Roofing Supply, Mahelona Sheet Metal Fabrication, and Pacific Plaster & Stucco.
This was the first permanent structure built of compressed plastic marine debris blocks, and it took local engineering skills to pull it off. Surfrider Foundation is grateful for all the community support for beach cleanups and this building project.
This block building shows a promising way to get rid of marine debris and help in the solid waste disposal problem the county is facing. We should consider getting a manufacturing plant here on Kauai.
Cynthia Welti, Chair, Kauai Chapter, Surfrider Foundation
