The Hawai‘i County Council passed Resolution 379-07 establishing an annual Hawai‘i Recycles Day on November 15th.  This coincides with America Recycles Day, an annual national campaign to encourage Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. Recycling saves natural resources, lessens energy consumption and reduces global warming.  It also helps to promote litter free beaches and parks and creates jobs.

Here are some basic steps to get started recycling:

1. Visit the Hawai‘i Zero Waste Tip webpage.  Find simple & easy to do things to increase recycling in your community.
2. Use the easy Drop-Off Recycling system at your nearest Recycling & Transfer Station.  
3. Compost household greenwaste in your backyard or take it to the collection sites at the Recycling & Transfer Stations in Hilo, Kea‘au, Kealakehe (Kailua-Kona), Ke‘ei, Volcano, Waimea or the West Hawai‘i Organics Facility in Pu‘uanahulu. Backyard composting is easy and there are online workshops to help you get started.  The greenwaste at the East and West Hawai‘i Organics Facilities is ground into mulch and is free for the public to pick up.
4. Take Household Hazardous Waste to the next collection event in your area.   Collection days happen twice a year in Hilo and Kona and once a year in Pāhoa and Waimea.  The collected waste is packed and shipped to a processing facility for safe and environmentally friendly treatment or disposal.
5. Purchase products made from recycled materials.  Close the loop.
6. Reduce waste by buying products with less packaging or recyclable packaging, purchase durable items rather than disposable ones.  Buy rechargeable batteries, energy efficient LED lighting or repair/refurbish an item rather than buying a new one.
7. Reuse items and donate gently used items that still have life to a charity thrift shop or a Reuse Center.