The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste Division (SWD) began the process of closing the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill in August 2019; and with their contractor, Kiewit Construction, the project is now nearing completion.  The SWD began the process of closing the landfill when they hired HDR Engineering to facilitate the closure plan, which was submitted to and approved by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health.  

Use of the landfill goes back to the 1960s, and it received the last truckload of waste in December 2019. 

Below are some facts regarding the closure of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill:

The project consists of capping the 40-acre waste fill with soil cover, a polyethylene liner, synthetic turf liner, and installation of storm water management structures.  The green synthetic turf grass (like that used on indoor football fields) was placed over the polyethylene liner and sealed. The amount of turf installed could cover over 30 football fields.

The project is expected to be substantially complete by mid-June of 2020.

The capping method is the first to be permitted and constructed in Hawaiʻi and is expected to reduce overall maintenance.

Thank you for doing your part in keeping our island a clean and safe paradise. Please visit our website at  www.hawaiizerowaste.org for locations and services, or call our Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division Office, at 961-8270.