Honolulu would not be ready to start shipping some of its trash to a Mainland dump until 2011, and the cost of that option would likely be twice as high as using facilities here, according to the first draft of a long-awaited solid waste management plan.

The city has flirted with the shipping idea for about a year but has never before indicated how long it would take to get it started.

The findings could fuel a heated debate over the island's garbage woes as the city pushes to extend the life of its controversial main dump — the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill — near Kahe Point.

The facility is slated to close in less than six months unless an extension is granted. The city hopes to later expand the dump so it can remain open for 15 more years.

Some opponents have called for the city to close the dump next year and send trash to the Mainland until a new garbage-to-energy facility is built.

But Mayor Mufi Hannemann has warned that shipping would not solve everything or eliminate the need for a dump here.

At least three companies have expressed interest in shipping some of the island's trash to Washington state, and one has indicated it could build a waste-transfer facility and begin operations within six months.

But the new plan, by consultant R.W. Beck, calls for a city-owned facility and states that an environmental impact statement would likely be required before operations could begin in 2011.

The plan does not envision the city seeking bids for a trash-shipping deal until mid-2008 — about the time the dump's current permit expires.

The cost of shipping trash would likely be between $245 and $341 per ton — more than twice as high as disposing of it at the dump or the H-Power garbage-to-energy plant in Campbell Industrial Park, according to the plan.

The city administration declined to release copies of the draft or immediately comment on details of its findings.

A copy obtained by The Advertiser calls for a minimum of 100,000 tons of trash to be shipped during each year of a five-year contract.

The plan was forwarded to members of the city's Solid Waste Advisory Committee, the first step of an expected one-year review period.

"I'm very grateful to the (committee) members for their commitment to this endeavor," Hannemann said in a statement. "This distinguished panel included representatives from solid waste management facility operators, solid waste haulers, recycling industries, military and government agencies, private business interests, the state Department of Health and students, and their rigorous debate and candid discussions were critical to the development of this draft.

"This is the first step toward the adoption of this long-awaited plan, and I'm pleased that we could count on these citizens for answering this call."

More than a million tons of trash are produced on the island each year, including about 340,000 tons that reach the landfill. Nearly 170,000 tons of ash and residue from H-Power also go into the dump each year.

The plan envisions a new waste-to-energy plant beginning operations in 2012, and disposing of 400,000 tons of trash per year. The H-Power plant now handles about 600,000 tons.

The solid waste committee has 120 days to review the plan. Its recommendations will be incorporated and submitted with the plan to the state Health Department for a 90-day review, after which it will be available for public comment at a special hearing.

The City Council will then vote on whether to accept the plan and send it to the Health Department for final approval.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com.