Bulky item appointment-based collection going island-wide

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, May 22, 2020

KAPOLEI – The city’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) announced today it is expanding the bulky item appointment-based collection system island-wide starting July 1, 2020, for all individual residents and multi-unit residential buildings.

“We are grateful to the residents of Metro Honolulu for their cooperation and patience in working with ENV in rolling out our bulky items appointment-based collection system last fall,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “Over time, we worked out the kinks in our new collection program, and it has proved to be more manageable and efficient than our previously bulky item pickup program.  Furthermore, it helped Honolulu to be more environmentally friendly by reducing the driving distances of its bulky item collection trucks thereby lowering fuel consumption and carbon emissions.”

Residents may schedule their bulky item appointments starting June 1 for the month of July at www.opala.org. Those who do not have online access may call ENV during normal business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at 768-3200 option “0”. When calling, an ENV employee will assist in scheduling the appointment through www.opala.org. All scheduled appointments for bulky item pickup are on a specific date and items need to be curbside no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before collection.

“We made tweaks during the original pilot and now have a solid foundation to successfully expand,” ENV Director Lori Kahikina said. “We believe the adjustments made allow residents more flexibility.”

Multi-unit dwellings have two options: (1) “Default Option” - Each individual unit for multi-unit properties may make their own appointments for up to five bulky items or two metal appliances; (2) “Alternative Option” - Multi-unit dwellings may “opt out” and a property or resident manager may manage and schedule appointments for the entire building, limiting the total amount of items to 20 bulky items or eight metal appliances per appointment. Separate appointments must be made for bulky items and metal appliances.

The pilot began almost a year ago for only Metro Honolulu – from Foster Village to Hawaii Kai – including Waikīkī, all of which will continue with the appointment-based system. 

—PAU—