Important Announcement Regarding Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death Disease

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has finalized the permanent rule (HAR §4-72-13) prohibiting the interisland transport of ‘ōhi‘a plant material to prevent the spread of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata [or Ceratocystis lukuohia or Ceratocystis huliohia].  They also recommend not transporting ‘ōhi‘a plant material from an infected area to a non-infected area.  As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of this fungus, please do not bring any ‘ōhi‘a plant material to our greenwaste collection sites; compost the material on-site.  To learn more about this serious problem please visit the UH CTAHR Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death website http://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod/HOME.aspx.

The Department of Environmental Management appreciates your kōkua in preventing the spread of this potentially devastating disease and the damage it could cause to our important watershed forests.

Organics

The County of Hawai‘i promotes Organics Diversion or Recycling through various program and private efforts.  Select the topic from the list below to learn more about Organics Diversion.

• County of Hawai‘i Greenwaste Diversion Program Overview
• Greenwaste Recycling Program Locations & Hours of Operation
• Acceptable & Not Acceptable Organics/Greenwaste in County Program
• Mulch Pick-Up & Loading Information
• Invasive Species Information
• Backyard Composting, Vermicomposting & Food Discards
• Used Cooking Oil & FOGS (Fats, Oils & Greases)

Organics (biodegradable products like paper products, greenwaste, food waste, and even cardboard) are dumped by the tens of thousands of tons into U.S. landfills. Not only are these organic materials valuable resources diverted from industries that may benefit from these materials, such as agriculture and transportation, but they have a high negative impact on the climate when placed into landfills. These materials comprise more than half of our solid waste composition, and when they are buried in landfills, they begin to decompose anaerobically (without oxygen), causing highly toxic levels of methane, impacting our air quality and climate change. These organic materials can be used to create soil where there is none, improve soil where soil quality is poor, and support our farmers by creating affordable, local products, promoting self-sufficiency and high quality products.

County of Hawai‘i Greenwaste Diversion Program Overview

The County has been providing greenwaste diversion services in both West and East Hawai‘i for over 17 years and has successfully recycled over 384,000 tons in the past 10 years (FY2022).  However, another estimated 147,000 tons was dumped in the landfills during this same period or an estimated 28% of the total greenwaste generated.

Greenwaste is a resource for making valuable mulch and compost.  Our goal is to increase our greenwaste and organic waste diversion and the County’s approved Integrated Resources and Solid Waste Management Plan (IRSWMP) recommended expanding greenwaste operations.  Starting in January 2013, the County offered new and improved greenwaste services that helped the County increase recycling and preserve its valuable resources for future generations.

PHYSICAL/SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES AT ALL SOLID WASTE DIVISION FACILITIES

These physical distancing rules are for your safety and the safety of the staff and fellow customers.  Please kōkua and thank you for doing your part to keep these facilities safe for all participants, especially our kupuna and other vulnerable residents.

• Facility users must keep a six (6) foot or greater distance from each other and facility employees.
• If indoors all users must wear a facial covering (cover nose & mouth).
• If you are feeling ill or showing symptoms of illness please consider postponing your presence at our facilities or designate someone else to drop off your materials.  Customers under government ordered quarantine or isolation shall abide by those restrictions.

GREENWASTE RECYCLING PROGRAM LOCATIONS & HOURS OF OPERATION

Holiday Closure Schedule:  All County of Hawai‘i Solid Waste Division Facilities are closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

For a map and directions to the nearest organics recycling acceptance facility please see the Map & Directions to County of Hawai‘i Solid Waste Division Facilities.

TRANSFER STATION GREENWASTE COLLECTION SITES VEHICLE & LOAD RESTRICTIONS

Greenwaste drop-off by residential generator self-haul customers at any Recycling & Transfer Station greenwaste collection bin/area is restricted to customers with Type I or Type II vehicles (under 20,000# GVW and less than 5 cubic yard loads) or smaller.  Greenwaste customers with types of vehicles greater than 20,000# GVW, greenwaste loads greater than 5 cubic yards or greenwaste customers with trailers will be directed to the West Hawai’i Organics Facility (WHOF) at Pu’uanahulu or the East Hawai‘i Organics Facility (EHOF) in Hilo.

The following greenwaste load size and quantity restrictions at Recycling & Transfer Station greenwaste collection bins/areas are in effect:

• Maximum of one greenwaste load per day per vehicle/customer.
• Maximum of 5 cubic yards of greenwaste per day per vehicle/customer.
• Greenwaste must be 3 feet in length or shorter (exception of palm fronds); greenwaste must be less than 1 foot in diameter for logs and branches.
• Vehicles allowed at the Transfer Station are limited to sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks or vans.  Trailers and dump bed trucks are prohibited.

If greenwaste is brought to a Transfer Station that does not have a separate greenwaste collection bin/area, the standard maximum 3 cubic yard per load limit applies to greenwaste disposal in the refuse container.  See Rules for Recycling & Transfer Stations on the Facilities page.

Businesses (including commercial landscapers and haulers), farms, government agencies and non-profits will only be allowed to drop-off greenwaste at the West Hawai‘i Organics Facility (WHOF) or the East Hawai‘i Organics Facility (EHOF) and they will be subject to a greenwaste disposal fee in accordance with the Department of Environmental Management’s Administrative Rules §2-8-3 (3).  Businesses, farms, government agencies and non-profits are prohibited from dropping off greenwaste at any County Recycling & Transfer Station.

WHOF & EHOF GREENWASTE DROP-OFF CUSTOMER PROCEDURES

West Hawai‘i (WHOF) & East Hawai‘i (EHOF) Organics Facilities

Customer Procedures for Recycling Greenwaste & Untreated Wood Pallets

1. All greenwaste (including untreated wood pallets) drop-off customers must drive up to the County Scale.
2. Vehicles will be weighed and an authorized pass will be given to each customer.  Scale Attendants will give directions to customers to drive to the entrance of the Facility.
3. Upon arrival at the facility, a contractor’s employee will accept and log the pass from the customer, they will also screen all incoming loads for contaminants and then direct vehicles to the appropriate area within the facility.  No entry will be granted to customers without the authorized pass.
4. Customers must return to the Scale to weigh out.  Customers who do not weigh out may be subject to the tip fee (if applicable) assessed on the entire gross weight of the vehicle and future prohibition from the facility.

All business, government agency and non-profit agency greenwaste customers must have a Solid Waste Facility Disposal Permit.  Applications are available from the Scalehouse, the Department of Environmental Management Administrative Office or download this form.  There is an annual permit fee of $50.

Holiday Closure Schedule:  All County of Hawai‘i Solid Waste Division Facilities are closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

The current contractor for the operation of West Hawai‘i & East Hawai‘i Organics Facilities and the Kealakehe Mulch Pick Up Area is Hawaiian Earth Recycling (better known by their Menehune Magic line of soil improvement products).  They can be contacted via phone (808-935-2277), email () or website (https://www.menehunemagicbigisland.com/contact).

For a map and directions to the nearest organics acceptance facility please see the Map & Directions to County of Hawai‘i Solid Waste Division Facilities.

ACCEPTABLE & NOT ACCEPTABLE TYPES OF ORGANICS/GREENWASTE

These items ARE accepted at the Greenwaste Recycling Collection Sites:

• palm fronds (may exceed 3 foot length), leaves
• tree, shrubs, bush and hedge cuttings
• grass clippings
• untreated and unpainted wood pallets
• logs, branches or other material less than 1 foot in diameter or 3 feet in length at the Recycling & Transfer Stations. (must be reduced in size prior to arrival at our facility). 

These items are NOT Accepted at the Greenwaste Recycling Collection Sites.  Please make every effort to keep them out or your load may be rejected.  Loads are subject to inspection.

• garbage bags and rubbish
• food waste from a business, farm or non-profit
• post-consumer food waste
• lumber, including sawdust
• plastics
• rocks & dirt
• glass
• metal
• treated or painted pallets (identified by paint or tinted wood color)
• invasive species of any kind (plant or animal), and the greenwaste material that may contain the invasive specie
• any ‘ōhi‘a vegetative material.  Even if it appears uninfected.  Please do not transport to our facilities; compost ‘ōhi‘a material on-site to prevent the spread of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death fungus.
• logs, branches or other material in excess of 1 foot in diameter or 3 feet in length at the Recycling & Transfer Station Collection Sites. (must be reduced in size prior to arrival at our facility)

Loads of greenwaste deemed excessively contaminated will be rejected and directed to landfill disposal.  Disposal fees will apply for contaminated greenwaste loads disposed at the Reload Facility or Landfill.

Mulch Pick-Up & Loading Information

Mulch is available on an as-is, first-come-first-served & while supplies last basis during normal hours of operation.  Please call (808) 935-2277 for more information on mulch availability and schedule of fees at the Kealakehe Mulch Public Pick-up Area, and the West Hawai‘i & East Hawai‘i Organics Facilities.  Only MC and Visa debit or credit cards are accepted.  Loading fees are assessed by Hawaiian Earth Recycling, not the County of Hawai‘i.

EHOF (Hilo) Enhanced Mulch Availability Special Restrictions

In order to minimize the spread of invasive species (insects, weeds and diseases) the mulch at the East Hawai‘i Organics Facility (EHOF) in Hilo undergoes an enhancement process.  During the enhancement process, the mulch will be turned a minimum of 5 times and the mulch will need to maintain a minimum temperature of 131°F for a minimum of 15 days to destroy harmful bacteria, weed seeds and invasive species such as Little Fire Ants (LFA), Coqui frogs, ‘Ōhi‘a Wilt Fungus (ROD), etc. The process normally takes a minimum of 15 days to sanitize the ground up greenwaste; therefore, mulch may not always be available to the public especially if the proper conditions are not met during the enhancement process.  Mulch will not be released to the public without undergoing the enhancement process at EHOF.

Mulch Quantity & Loading Restrictions at EHOF

To ensure a more equitable distribution of enhanced mulch to the public Hawaiian Earth Recycling and the Solid Waste Division imposes the following limitations on the amount of enhanced mulch that each customer will be allowed to receive and the availability of assisted mechanical loading at EHOF.  All mulch is available on an as-is, first-come-first-served & while supplies last basis.

1. Residential Customers:
   1. Mulch is available on the first Saturday of each month (Customers can call 808-935-2277 after 5:00 pm on the first Saturday for information on additional mulch pick-up days)
   2. Customers will be able to obtain a maximum quantity of 3 cubic yards of mulch
   3. Mulch can be loaded mechanically or self-loaded for free
   4. Customers are only allowed to obtain one load per day
2. Commercial Customers:
   1. Mulch is available on the second Wednesday of each month (Customers can call 808-935-2277 after 5:00 pm on the second Wednesday for information on additional mulch pick-up days)
   2. Customers will be charged a loading fee of $10.00 per cubic yard and charged $20 for 3 cubic yards or less.
   3. Customers will not be allowed to self-load
   4. No limit to the amount of mulch a commercial customer is able to obtain
   5. Customers can obtain multiple loads in a day

Mulch Quantity & Loading Restrictions at WHOF

All mulch is available on an as-is, first-come-first-served & while supplies last basis.

1. Residential Customers:
   1. Mulch is available Monday – Saturday
   2. No limit to the amount of mulch a residential customer is able to obtain
   3. Mulch can be loaded mechanically or self-loaded for free
   4. Customers can obtain multiple loads in a day
2. Commercial Customers:
   1. Mulch is available Monday – Saturday
   2. Customers will not be allowed to self-load
   3. No limit to the amount of mulch a commercial customer is able to obtain
   4. Customers can obtain multiple loads in a day

Mulch Loading Fees Assessed by Hawaiian Earth Recycling

1. Mulch loading fees at the West Hawai‘i & East Hawai‘i Organics Facilities and the Kealakehe Mulch Pick Up Area will be charged.  Customers will be required to pay at the time of service and will be served on a first-come-first-served basis while supplies of mulch are available.  Please note that the only forms of acceptable payment are MasterCard and VISA debit/credit cards.  No cash or checks will be accepted.  Call Hawaiian Earth Recycling at 808-935-2277 for loading service fee rates or questions.
2. The County of Hawai‘i does not receive any mulch loading fees.

EHOF Mulch Operations has moved to the adjacent quarry, slightly further down Ho‘olaulima Rd.  Look for signs directing customers to nearby location.

MULCH PICK-UP CUSTOMER PROCEDURES

West Hawai‘i (WHOF) & East Hawai‘i (EHOF) Organics Facilities

Customer Procedures for Mulch Pick Up

1. EHOF – All EHOF mulch customers can proceed directly to the facility and bypass the scale.
2. WHOF  – All WHOF mulch customers can proceed directly to the facility by utilizing the bypass lane to the right of the scale.
3. Customers wanting to pick up mulch may choose to self-load or request assisted mechanical loading.  Loading fees apply.  Mulch is available on a first-come-first-served & while supplies last basis during normal operating hours at WHOF and specific days for EHOF as noted in the Mulch Pick-up and Loading Information Table.  
4. Customers will be required to pay at the time of loading service and will be served on a first-come-first-served basis while supplies of mulch are available.  Please note that the only forms of acceptable payment are MasterCard and VISA debit/credit cards.  No cash or checks will be accepted.  Call 808-935-2277 for Hawaiian Earth Recycling’s loading service fee rates & policies.
5. The County of Hawai‘i does not receive any loading fee revenue.

All business, government agency and non-profit agency greenwaste customers must have a Solid Waste Facility Disposal Permit.  Applications are available from the Scalehouse, the Department of Environmental Management Administrative Office or download this form.  There is an annual permit fee of $50.

Kealakehe (Kailua-Kona) Mulch Pick Up

Residential Self-Haul & Business/Farm/Government Agency/Non-Profit Customers

As a convenience, the County has established mulch pick up at the Kealakehe Recycling & Transfer Station.  Customers wanting mulch have the option of self-loading (no fees) or using the assisted mechanical loading service.  Limit of 3 cubic yards of mulch per customer per day.  The loading service is offered daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only.  Assisted mechanical loading available on an equipment & time permitting basis.  Access may be restricted during Kealakehe (Kailua-Kona) Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events, check our Calendar of upcoming events for announcements.

No private mechanized loading equipment allowed at this site.

Cover Your Mulch Loads Before You Leave Our Facility

Please make sure your vehicle has a tarp or other method for covering your mulch load to avoid spillage on roadways! (SW Rule §2-6-19)

General Mulch Questions?

For mulch availability or questions about payment of loading fees, contact Hawaiian Earth Recycling at 808-935-2277.

Holiday Closure Schedule:  All County of Hawai‘i Solid Waste Division Facilities are closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

For a map and directions to the nearest mulch distribution facility please see the Map and Directions to County of Hawaii Solid Waste Facilities.

To abide by road regulations, please remember to bring a pitchfork/shovel to clean off any loose/overflowing mulch and a tarp to properly cover truckloads of mulch. (HRS §291C-131)

Other Organics Composting & Food Waste Reduction Information

INVASIVE SPECIES INFORMATION

You can help prevent the spread of invasive species (plant or animal) by checking your greenwaste prior to transport and making sure you do not bring any invasive species to our Organics facilities. For more information click on the links to Hawai‘i’s High-Profile Invasive Species or the Hawaii Invasive Species Council or check the Big Island Invasive Species Committee website for a listing of invasive pests.

Notice (2016-11-27): The State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture finalized the permanent rule (State of Hawai‘i Administrative Rules Prohibiting the Transport of ‘Ōhi’a Materials – HAR §4-72-13) prohibiting the interisland transport of ‘ōhi‘a plant material to prevent the spread of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata.  They also recommend not transporting ‘ōhi‘a plant material from an infected area to a non-infected area.  Please do not bring any ‘ōhi‘a plant material to our greenwaste collection sites. To learn more about this serious problem please visit the UH CTAHR Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death website http://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod/HOME.aspx.

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) continues to conduct periodic surveys of the East Hawai‘i Organics Facility (a.k.a. EHOF).  In the past they detected Little Fire Ants (LFA) in the unprocessed greenwaste pile and in the un-enhanced mulch. The County of Hawai‘i and Hawaiian Earth Recycling with the assistance of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture implemented a LFA control management plan for the EHOF to prevent the spread of this invasive pest, thus the mulch at EHOF now undergoes an enhancement process.  During the enhancement process, the mulch will need to reach temperatures in excess of 130°F for up to 15 days to destroy harmful bacteria, weed seeds and invasive species such as Little Fire Ants (LFA), Coqui frogs, ‘Ōhi‘a Wilt Fungus (ROD), etc. The process normally takes up to 15 days to sanitize the ground up greenwaste; therefore, mulch may not always be available to the public especially if the proper conditions are not met during the enhancement process.  Mulch will not be released to the public without undergoing the full enhancement process at EHOF.

No LFA have yet been detected at the Kealakehe Mulch Public Pick-up Area or the West Hawai‘i Organics Facility (WHOF) in surveys conducted by HDOA.

The County and the current greenwaste contractor continue to take precautionary measures, in addition to monthly ant baiting and the enhancement process, to prevent the spread of LFA at the EHOF.  While every effort is being made to minimize the likelihood that our mulch contains LFA there is always the unlikely chance that it might contain LFA.  The Hawai‘i Ant Lab and the County have developed a brochure to advise customers on proper control methods to prevent the spread of LFA via mulch on your property should the mulch or your vehicle contain them, please read and follow those directions.

You can help prevent the spread of the Little Fire Ant by making sure the greenwaste you bring to our Organics sites is free of the LFA pest. Please read the LFA brochure produced by the UH College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (CTAHR) and HDOA. This brochure lists control methods for your property and HDOA contact information to report infestations. Also visit the Hawai‘i Ant Lab website for more information on managing invasive ant species, it is a project of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawai‘i.

We appreciate your kōkua in helping to stop the spread of this invasive pest.

• Hawaii Ant Lab Controlling Little Fire Ants in Mulch brochure

BACKYARD COMPOSTING, VERMICOMPOSTING & FOOD DISCARDS

About 40% of consumable food in the US is discarded. One of the best ways to reduce discards is to shop smarter, keep produce fresher and reduce wasted food, check out the Food: Too Good to Waste website for more information and tips.  In order to recover these valuable resources, food waste can be composted into your compost machine along with your green waste.

If the food is still good (“fit” or “wholesome”), especially if it is non-perishable, donate it to your local food bank.  This reduces waste and helps find the highest valued use for this resource.  Business’ and individual’s donations may be covered by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, 42 U.S. Code §1791.

Backyard Composting & Vermicomposting:

The most simple and cost-effective method for recycling greenwaste and food waste is to compost at your home, farm, school or business.  Compost is a valuable resource for growing plants and food.  By composting on-site, you have the added benefit of avoiding the transportation costs associated with hauling greenwaste and/or food waste to another location for recycling or disposal.

The EPA has also published a simple guide to backyard composting, Backyard Composting – Its Only Natural.  The University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources Cooperative Extension Service has a Backyard Composting Information Guide CTAHR.  The Institute for Local Self Reliance has resources dedicated to Home Composting Basics, including workshops and tips to getting started.

Another solution for food discards, particularly if you have little or no outdoor space to set up a backyard composter, is through vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is a compost system that uses a heterogenous mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste and bedding materials, like shredded paper or cardboard. Pure vermicast (or worm castings) produced during the course of normal vermiculture operations is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by some species of earthworm. Containing water-soluble nutrients and bacteria, vermicompost is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner.

There are vermicompost bins available on island:

Green Room
(808) 987-3731,
Residential worm bins

HawaiiRainbowWorms.com

For large-scale worm bins or compost tea brewers

For commercial food discard service, businesses and restaurants located in Kona can contact Waiaha Farms at (808) 756-7945 or email for more information.

Backyard Composting Workshops:
Backyard Composting workshops may be available from Recycle Hawai‘i.  During these workshops you may learn about the process of composting yard waste and kitchen waste, vermicomposting (with worms) and constructing your own composter.  Workshop fees may apply.  For upcoming Composting Workshops go to Recycle Hawai‘i’s Backyard Composting Program.   Or build your own following the easy steps in the Backyard Composting.  Enjoy the benefits of creating quality compost or mulch in your own garden.

Other Composting Resources:

• Earth Machine has an online Guide to Home Composting.
• University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (CTAHR) Cooperative Extension Service – Backyard Composting – Recycling A Natural Product (home garden bulletin 2002)
• Barefoot Gardener: Quick Compost (J.M. Buck on Big Island Now)
• Institute for Local Self Reliance has online workshop on home composting basics.
• How Composting Works
• How to Compost Meat & Dairy
• Compost & Mulch Toolbox

The following are permitted greenwaste recycling operations that will accept various types of greenwaste:

• Organa Grow, North Hawai‘i/Waimea, (808) 882-7931 (Greenwaste recycling)
• Big Island Landscaping, North Hawai‘i/Hāwī, (808) 882-1143 (Greenwaste recycling)

USED COOKING OIL & FOGs (FATS, OILS, GREASES)

Did you know that your used or waste vegetable oil and your FOGs can be reused as biodiesel to run your vehicle? To learn more about how to produce biodiesel for your household use, visit the following resources:

How To Make Your Own Biodiesel or Find It Nearby; Biodiesel: How It’s Made, Environmental Impact, Where to Find a Fueling Station, & More; How To Make Biodiesel

Resources for Businesses
The following are permitted businesses to handle pick up and disposal of used cooking oil and/or FOGs:

• Eden Earthworks, Island-wide, (808) 333-7444 (Used Cooking Oil – free pick up)
• Hilo Pumping Service, (808) 934-7673 (Used Cooking Oil & Grease Trap Waste Service)
• Kona Lua, (808) 329-1318 (Used Cooking Oil & Grease Trap Service)
• Pacific Biodiesel Logistics, Island-wide, (808) 935-7718, (Used Cooking Oil – free pick-up & Grease Trap Waste Service)

Procedures for Disposing of Fats, Oils and Grease at the West Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill (PDF)

Household Cooking Oil

Big Island Biodiesel 808-877-3144 ext. 3 (Call first)
Accepts limited quantities of household generated used cooking oil

For very small quantities (< 1 gallon) of used cooking oil from your own household kitchen, you may solidify by means of an absorbent material (old/shredded newspaper, rags, kitty litter or oil spill absorbent) and then dispose with your regular trash. It must be completely absorbed (not liquid) before disposal; freezing it doesn’t count. Used cooking oil is not considered a Household Hazardous Waste and will not be accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.  Businesses are not allowed.

Download Brochure

Facts of Composting (2019 Recycle Hawai‘i)