Transfer Stations Closed Christmas Day!

All transfer stations will be closed on Christmas Day. Please be pono and do not leave your rubbish at the closed gates. The transfer stations will be open on December 26th.

Christmas Tree-Cycling

From December 26 through January 11, Christmas trees will be accepted at these transfer stations:

Hilo, Honoka'a, Kea'au, Kealakehe, Keauhou, Ka'auhuhu, Pahoa, Puako, Waimea, and Wai'ohinu

Thousands of Christmas trees are brought into Hawai'i each year. Hawai'i imports compost and top soil for our yards and gardens. By chipping Christmas trees and using the material in our gardens, we save on landfill space and lessen the need for imported compost, plus add valuable mulch to our soils.  The trees will be chipped on site and chips can be picked up while supplies last.

TREES MUST BE BARE - Please no plastic bags, flocking or decorations.

Brought to you by County of Hawai'i Solid Waste Division & Highway Maintenance Division.  Promoted by Recycle Hawai'i.

For more information and locations, please call 961-8942.

Hawaii: Message in the Waves

Tuesday, Dec 16, 6:00pm: UH Hilo, Marine Science Building 101

The Marine Science Building is located near Lanikaula Street

Come to a free showing of Hawaii: Message in the Waves! This hour long film, from the BBC Natural History Unit, looks at some of the environmental challenges facing the people and wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands. Turtles, dolphins, monk seals, and albatross all have to cope with the growing number of people using the island beaches, but now animals face a new threat from washed up plastic.

There will also be a talk-story session with Captain Charlie Moore, of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation after the film.

For more information, please contact Rebekah Sluss: 961-8527.

County of Hawai`i Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Public Meeting Announcement!

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee invites the public to continue their review of the ongoing update to the County's Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan.  This plan covers all aspects of waste management on the island, including waste reduction, education, recycling, composting, collection, transfer, and disposal.  There are many pressing issues to decide such as:

• What should we do to move toward zero waste, and at what cost?
• Should we institute a "pay-as-you-throw" system to provide incentive to keep waste out of County landfills
• Should recycling and composting be mandatory for residents and businesses?  What would it cost and how could it be implemented?
• Should the County require a waste reduction plan prior to issuing building and demolition permits?
• Should we keep the County transfer system or move toward curbside collection or both?
• What should we do when the South Hilo Landfill is full?

Come join us in shaping the future of solid waste management on the island by participating in one of our upcoming meetings in Kona, Hilo or Waimea.  This is the second round of a series of three sets of meetings reporting on the progress made to date.  At these meetings, CH2M HILL, the professional engineering firm serving as consultants to the committee, will present a progress report and ask for your structured input on the following specific topics:

• Public Education and Outreach
• Source Reduction
• Recycling and Composting
• Collection and Transfer
• Residuals Management
  

The meetings will be held at:

KONA:           Monday, December 15, 2008

                       5:00pm – 7:00pm

                       Kona Outdoor Circle: 76-6280 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona

HILO:             Wednesday, December 17, 2008

                       5:00pm – 7:00pm

                       Aupuni Center, County of Hawai`i: 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo

WAIMEA:       Thursday, December 18, 2008

                       5:00pm – 7:00pm

 Waimea Community Center: 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Waimea

The meeting places are accessible to persons with disabilities.  To request an Auxiliary Aid or language translation, please call 961-8270 five days prior to the meeting date.   Comments may be sent to Department of Environmental Management, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 or e-mailed to tpacheco@co.hawaii.hi.us

For more information call Mike Dworsky, Solid Waste Division Chief at 961-8515

The cost to attend the workshop is $10/adult. Please contact Piper Selden for more information: 937-2233

Acceptable items include: Automotive materials, antifreeze, used motor oil, corrosives, all types of batteries, fluorescent lights & ballasts (NEW!), mercury thermometers, unused or outdated prescription medications (no controlled substances or sharps & needles), compressed gas cylinders (NEW!), oil-based paints & stains, toxic garden supplies, poisons & miscellaneous household products

Unacceptable items are: unknown materials, explosives, radioactive wastes, non-hazardous materials or waste from businesses (call for unusual materials)

Recycle Hawai`i will also be conducting a LATEX PAINT collection in conjunction with the Household Hazardous Waste collection.