e-waste mixed

Although these products may not be dangerous to use, most of them contain poisonous ‘heavy metals’ such as lead, mercury and cadmium that can pollute groundwater near landfills. Up to 80% of electronics can be recycled, so let’s not take risks with the quality of human health or our environment, and recycle all our electronics. For more information about consumer electronics, visit the Consumer Technology Association website.

To learn more about how to extend the life of your personal computer, read the article, “Six Ways to Extend the Life of Your Old PCs.”

Electronics Recycling

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

Why not donate your working electronics to your local reuse or thrift store? Please visit the Reuse page for listings of local reuse centers and thrift stores.

Other donations are accepted at the Alliance for Technology Refurbishing & Reuse (AFTRR is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the support of training through donated technology. They have encouraged companies and individuals to donate computers and other technology, which is then matched to charities, schools and public agencies in all 50 states, Canada, and in many countries around the world).

ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING & RECOVERY COLLECTION CENTERS

Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption Center
Manufacturer-funded electronics recycling take-back collection location
FREE Electronics Recycling Collection
e-Stewards and R2 certified recycling
Call (808) 969-1222 for more information.

LOCATIONS:
Hilo: 815 Kino‘ole St.
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Closed on Holidays, see website for list of holidays)
Households welcome daily.
Businesses, government agencies & non-profits on weekdays by appointment only.

Kona: 73-5631 Kauhola Street (mauka of Home Depot)
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Closed on Holidays, see website for list of holidays)
Households, businesses, government agencies & non-profits welcome.
Businesses, government agencies & non-profits by appointment only.

Businesses, government agencies and non-profits MUST schedule an appointment for drop-off in advance.
For appointments, please contact Mr. K’s at 808-969-1222 to schedule or for more information.

Mr. K’s also offers pick-up service.  Call for rates or visit their website at https://www.mrksrecyclehawaii.com/electronic-waste.html.
Mr. K’s also accepts computers for reuse/refurbishment.

Accepting: TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, computer keyboards & mice, computer monitors, printers, VCRs, CD/DVD/Blu Ray players, stereo receivers/amplifiers (no speakers), UPS systems, digital cameras, mobile and landline telephones.  Items not on this list will not be accepted for recycling.

STATE OF HAWAI‘I ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING & RECOVERY LAW

The Hawai‘i Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Law requires manufacturers of electronic devices to operate recycling programs. Electronic devices (EDs) include computers, computer printers, computer monitors, portable computers with a screen size greater than four inches measured diagonally, and televisions with a viewable screen of nine inches or larger.

The State of Hawai‘i Legislature passed Act 151 Relating to Recycling in 2022 which mandates that “Manufacturers must fully fund their recycling plan, including the collection, transportation, and recycling of all electronic devices in the State.”  These plans include “Manufacturer recycling goals”, and the plans “shall provide collection services at a minimum of once per month” “at no cost to the owner” in certain population centers starting in January 2023.  The full text of Chapter 339D, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) is available here.

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health is charged with implementing this program, for more information on the Hawai‘i Electronic Device Recycling & Recovery Law (HEDRR) please visit their website.  Retailers are prohibited from selling non-registered products in Hawai‘i and they must make information available to customers on where EDs purchased can be returned for recycling. This take-back program also applies to all previously purchased EDs from the registered Manufacturers.

For more information contact:
Hawai‘i Department of Health
Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch
2827 Waimano Home Road #100
Pearl City, HI 96782
(808) 974-4000 extension 64226# (toll-free from the Big Island)
Lane Otsu –

MANUFACTURERS’ & RETAILER’S PROGRAMS

Many manufacturers and producers of electronics now have their own trade-in or recycling programs. Visit their website or contact them to inquire about any program they may have. It’s important to let the manufacturers know that we, as consumers, are interested in programs like these, and also to let them know that they too should participate in the recycling of the products they produce.

Listed below are just some of the online trade-in or recycling programs where you may get value for that old electronic item towards a purchase for new electronic equipment.  For more options just enter “electronics recycling” into your favorite internet search engine.

Other Companies Recycling Electronics that Serve the Big Island:

Company

Website

Address

Phone Number

Contact
Computer Crisis Solutions
(still working computers & laptops only)		 www.computercrisissolutions.com Must call for pick up (808) 895-9325 Charles Higa
EnviroServices & Training Center, LLC. www.gotoetc.com 505 Ward Ave., Suite 202
Honolulu, HI 96814		 (808) 839-7222 Greg Perry
Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption www.mrksrecyclehawaii.com/ 815 Kino‘ole St.
Hilo, HI 96720		 (808) 969-1222 Roy Kadota
Pacific Commercial Services www.pcshi.com 5 Sand Island Access Rd.
Bldg. 931
Honolulu, HI 96819		 (808) 545-4599

(808) 780-5679

 Winnie Yuen
Pacific Environmental Corp. (PENCO) www.penco.org 65 N. Nimitz Hwy,
Pier 14
Honolulu, HI 96817		 (808) 545-5195 Jeremy Sirkin
T&N Computer Recycling Services LLC www.tncomputerrecycling.com P.O. Box 4320
Kaneohe, HI 96744		 (808) 371-0281 Nik Nikolaidis

 

Electronic Waste (E-Waste) is not accepted at the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.

electronics-cell_cartridge

Mobile Phones and Inkjet/Toner Cartridge Recycling

mobile Phones & Accessories

 

Many mobile phone service providers and retailers offer take-back programs for mobile phone devices, contact your local carrier first. Also some local organizations hold fundraisers by collecting used mobile phones.

      • AT&T – Any phone from any carrier. Part of the proceeds benefits Cellphones for Soldiers.
      • T-Mobile – Accepts any phone, accessories, data cards of any carrier and condition.  Also offers trade-in.
      • Verizon – HopeLine from Verizon Wireless accepts any phone and battery from any carrier. Proceeds benefits victims of domestic violence.  Or Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program – trade in your device for electronic gift card (all carriers’ devices accepted)
      • Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption, 815 Kino‘ole St, (808) 969-1222
      • Pack Ship & Copy Depot, Waimea, (808) 885-8810 (“Cell Phones for Soldiers” Program)
      • Waikoloa Mailbox, (808) 883-2626

Inkjet/Toner Cartridges

Office Depot/OfficeMax (accepts all types of used inkjet and toner cartridges. Store credit may be given in exchange)
311 Maka‘ala St (Hilo), (808) 969-9595
74-5448 Makala Blvd (Kona), (808) 329-1907

Target Stores
391 E. Maka‘ala St., Hilo, HI (808) 920-8605
74-5455 Makala Boulevard, Kailua-Kona, HI (808) 334-4020

Waikoloa Mailbox
Waikoloa Highlands Center, (808) 883-2626

WalMart – Hilo (inkjet cartridges accepted in Electronics section)
325 E. Maka‘ala St.

Planet Green Recycle (free USPS mail-in recycle system, inkjet only, offers remanufactured inkjet cartridges for sale)
https://www.planetgreenrecycle.com/pages/free-ink-recycling

Small quantities of inkjet/toner cartridges and cell phones are accepted at the following location(s):

Ocean View Community Center, (808) 939-7033

Please use original packaging or other protective packing to avoid damage.

MICROWAVES, FANS, VACUUMS, TOYS & AUDIO SPEAKERS ARE NOT E-WASTE

Microwave ovens, fans, vacuums, toys and audio speakers are not considered electronic waste or an appliance for recycling purposes in the County of Hawai‘i.  They are considered regular rubbish.