Hawai’i energy – appliance recycling program

SPECIAL RECYCLING EVENT: Hawai‘i Energy will be having a special bulk recycling community event at Kea’au Middle School, September 28th, 2024. Sign up to bring all your old, working fridges and freezers for recycling. You’ll receive a $100 cash rebate for each unit on this day only. Must be 14 cubic feet or larger and live in the following zip codes: 96749, 96778, 96771, and 96720. Limited signups available while funding lasts. Can’t make the event? Check out our Rid-A-Fridge Program instead!

We Recycle, You Get Paid through the Rid-A-Fridge Program!  Hawai‘i Energy will give you a $75 cash rebate when you turn in your old, working, 14 cubic foot or larger fridges and freezers for recycling.  Hawaiʻi Energy provides free curbside pick-up of the old unit. Call toll-free to schedule: 1-877-231-8222. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis to electric utility account holders, while funding lasts.

Or, need a new fridge?  Get a $250 rebate. Rebate is good towards a new qualifying ENERGY STAR® model from participating retailers when you turn in your old 14 cubic feet or larger model for recycling to the participating retailer.

What are white goods?

White goods are major household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, water heaters, stoves/ovens, refrigerators and freezers. Major home appliances are made up of approximately 75 percent steel. The remaining materials include other metals such as aluminum, zinc and copper, as well as recyclable plastics and CFC refrigerants. The US EPA reports that the use of scrap instead of virgin materials to make new steel results in a 97 percent reduction in mining wastes, 90 percent savings in virgin materials use, 86 percent reduction in air pollution, 76 percent reduction in water pollution, 74 percent savings in energy, and 40 percent reduction in water use.

Donate

Before recycling white goods, if they are in good working condition, consider donating them to a reuse center.  Please refer to the Reuse section of this website for further details.

Recycle

Appliances or white goods can be recycled at the scrap metal area at the following locations:

• Big Island Scrap Metal – Shipman
  16-168 Kalara St., Kea‘au
  No electronics or microwaves.  Please remove all trash and non-metal items.
  Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  (808) 854-4530 (Please call first)
• Big Island Scrap Metal – Kona
  74-589 Honokōhau St., Kailua-Kona
  No electronics or microwaves.  Please remove all trash and non-metal items.
  Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  (808) 854-4530 (Please call first)

For commercial/industrial refrigerators/freezers/HVACs, the refrigerant must be removed prior to disposal.  Contact a refrigeration service company for refrigerant removal service and documentation.  Documentation of refrigerant removal must be presented to the scrap metal personnel before they will accept the item(s).

County of Hawai‘i Appliances/White Goods Recycling Drop-off Facilities

Accepting self-hauled household generated material only.  Clean/empty/drained household appliances only – dishwashers, stoves/ovens, refrigerators/freezers, small air conditioner units, dehumidifiers, washing machines, clothes dryers & water heaters.  Microwaves and electronics not accepted.  Not accepting commercial (including commercially hauled), government agency or non-profit agency generated material – prohibited by law.

Only one item per customer/vehicle per day.  Vehicles allowed at the Transfer Station are limited to sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks or mini-vans.  Trailers and dump bed trucks are prohibited.  Customers will need to check in with facility attendant who will log item dropped off.

Closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
There is no charge for household appliance recycling at these County facilities.
Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning units and dehumidifiers containing refrigerant must be placed in special designated area, look for signage.

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.

MICROWAVES

Microwave ovens are not considered electronic waste or an appliance for recycling purposes in the County of Hawai‘i.  They are considered regular rubbish.