Changes to the County’s 2-Bin Recycling Program, Effective October 16, 2019

News Release from County of Hawaii, Sept 30, 2019

Due to significant decreases in the global recycling markets, the County unfortunately will no longer be able to accept some of the items collected at our transfer stations. The County’s current 2-Bin recycling program includes a “mixed bin” for recycling of paper, plastic, cardboard/boxboard, and aluminum/tin, and a second “glass bin” for non-HI-5 glass.

As of October 16, 2019, paper and plastics will not be accepted.

However, the County will continue its ongoing efforts to evaluate potential alternatives to remain environmentally and economically responsible.

The County’s 2-Bin recycling program, offered at designated Recycling & Transfer Stations, will be downsized on October 16, 2019, as follows:

The “2-Bin” recycling program will be downsized to collect only:

• Corrugated Cardboard (clean and not contaminated with food) 
• Brown Kraft Paper Bags (e.g., paper shopping bags)

The “Glass bin” will continue to collect: 

• Glass Bottles and Jars 
• Clean non-HI-5 bottles and jars (e.g., wine bottles, pickle jars) 
• No caps, covers, or lids 
• Will be collected in the separate “glass” bin

Metal Cans previously accepted will now be collected in the scrap metal bins offered at select Recycling & Transfer Stations as follows: 

Must be clean, small (e.g., tuna, soup, pet food cans)

The HI-5 beverage container redemption program remains in effect. For further information, please visit our website at www.hawaiizerowaste.org/2-bin/ for the full list of recyclable items accepted at the County of Hawaiʻi’s Recycling & Transfer Stations.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to address this challenge.

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(Translation: Your so-called ‘recycling’ was being shipped to 3rd would countries to toss in their landfills.  But they aren’t willing to take your garbage anymore so you will have to stop pretending that recycling is real.)

WHT: Market demand prompts recycling changes as of Oct. 16  -- Glass will still be accepted at recycling and transfer stations because of a subsidy the county receives from the state for recycled glass that are then processed back into usable items.  “If it wasn’t for that subsidy, the county probably wouldn’t be able to take that glass either,” Goodale said.

2014: Busted: Hee Family Tied to Massive Waste Dumping Scheme

Reality for those who can stomach it:

• Where Will Your Plastic Trash Go Now That China Doesn't Want It?
• The West has been dumping tens of millions of tons of trash in Southeast Asian countries for more than 25 years — now they want to send it back
• Indonesia sends 49 shipping containers of trash back to Europe, US, and Australia
• Philippines loads 69 containers of Canadian trash on ship bound for Vancouver
• Malaysia plans to return 3,300 tons of plastic trash to US, UK, Canada, and Australia