Hilo, HI – The County of Hawaiʻi is pleased to announce a series of free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events aimed at helping residents safely dispose of hazardous materials. These events will take place on multiple dates and locations across the island, providing a convenient opportunity for households to properly eliminate substances that can pose risks to public health and the environment.
The schedule for the collection events is as follows:
– Saturday, February 8: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium parking lot, 323 Manono St., Hilo (Enter via Piʻilani Street).
– Saturday, February 15: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the West Hawai’i Civic Center parking lot, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona (Enter via Ane Keohokālole Highway).
– Saturday, March 1: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Waimea District Park Parking Lot, 67-1315 Ala ‘Ōhi’a Road, Waimea.
– Sunday, March 2: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Pāhoa Recycling & Transfer Station, 15-1870 Cemetery Road, Pāhoa.
Hosted by the County Department of Environmental Management, these events are designed for household-generated and self-hauled waste only. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of acceptable household hazardous waste such as certain automotive fluids, used batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and pesticides.
For a comprehensive list of acceptable and unacceptable items, residents can visit Hawaiʻi Zero Waste.
It is important to note that businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and farm-related waste are prohibited by law at these collection events. Additionally, latex paint, electronic waste, and tires will not be accepted.
To ensure the safety of all participants, organizers have established rules for the HHW collection events:
– Remain inside your vehicle unless directed otherwise by authorized personnel.
– Place items in the trunk or truck bed, ensuring that it can be unlocked or opened remotely.
– All containers brought to the event will not be returned; residents are advised to transfer materials to disposable containers before arrival.
– Label HHW items when possible and keep them separate from other items in your vehicle.
– If feeling ill or displaying any symptoms, individuals should consider postponing their visit or assigning someone else to drop off materials.
For further questions regarding these collection events, residents can contact Chris Chin-Chance, Recycling Specialist with the Department of Environmental Management, at (808) 961-8554 or via email at recycle3@hawaiicounty.gov.
Take this opportunity to protect your community and the environment by safely disposing of hazardous waste. Join us on these designated days to help keep Hawaiʻi County clean and safe for everyone!
