Recycling places and
donation alternatives - Hawaii

Last updated June 17, 2023
Newly added/changed (June 2023):
- Updated info for the Kalihi Valley Instructional Bike Exchange.
- Added Cycle Manoa as a bike-recycling option, although the program may currently be on hiatus.
- Added Kupuna Shed as a bike-recycling option.

I am constantly collecting info on various ways to recycle and I still have a bunch more to add. After that I hope to painstakingly go through all of my links to see if the info is still up to date.
This is a list of various places in Hawaii (focusing mainly on Oahu because I live there) that you can go to get rid of your junk around the house, or websites or places you can check for more information, aside from the usual charities (Community Clearinghouse, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc.). This information is taken from various sources. I've also started adding national organizations, especially where there is no local alternative.

Please note that this is a PRIVATE site, created strictly for informational purposes. I am not affiliated with any of the organizations or groups mentioned here and I do not represent or endorse their views, opinions, etc. Also, because this page is updated infrequently, names and phone numbers, other contact information, or websites may be out of date.

Feel free to e-mail me at schala ~~at~~ schala(dot)info with suggestions, or if any links or events are outdated or no longer exist. PLEASE put the words "Hawaii recycling" somewhere in the subject line so I don't delete your message as spam. Thank you!

General recycling/disposal information

Aluminum drink cans, glass beverage bottles, plastic beverage containers

Hawaii instituted a so-called "bottle bill" in January 2005 that charges a 5-cent refundable deposit and a 1-cent nonrefundable program fee for each beverage container sold. Containers that can be returned in this manner will have "HI 5¢" printed on the label or etched into the top or bottom -- it looks something like this or like this. The "HI" may be semi-hidden in the label's list of state names that have similar redemption programs, so look closely.

Appliances, nonworking

This program may no longer be active. Please email if you can confirm this. Call Honolulu Community College's CENT program to see if it will accept your old appliances. The program may take them for students to put to work repair and electrical skills. The items are then distributed to nonprofit groups. (Taken from a Star-Bulletin story.)

Audio equipment, nonworking

This program may no longer be active. Please email if you can confirm this. Call Honolulu Community College's CENT program to see if it will accept your old appliances. The program may take them for students to put to work repair and electrical skills. The items are then distributed to nonprofit groups. (Taken from a Star-Bulletin story.)

Batteries, rechargable

Batteries, car

Many places that sell car batteries will also accept old ones, which will be recycled. Call your car-parts store to see if they accept batteries.

The city also has convenience centers where you can drop off old batteries. Check the city's website for locations, hours, rules, and other information. (Taken from the Star-Bulletin's Kokua Line)

Bicycles

Books, magazines

Bras (brassieres)

Yes, we're talking the undergarments that women wear.

Cameras, camcorders, other video equipment

Most of the information below was taken from this blog and others were taken from this article. I know there are lots of recycling venues that support Hawaii charities, so if you know of any, please e-mail me!

Cardboard, corrugated

Corrugated cardboard has two thin layers separated by a wavy layer in the center. Most shipping boxes are corrugated; other everyday packaging such as cereal boxes are NOT.

Oahu residents. Corrugated cardboard can be put in the blue bin for curbside pickup. Just make sure to break down boxes first.

Cartons (juice, milk, etc.)

The Carton Council accepts these. You must send items to them at your own expense. First input your ZIP code in the box on the left side -- if you're in Hawaii, it will then say that recycling is not available in your area. Click on the yellow arrow that appears on the bottom of the page, or just scroll down, and you will find instructions on how to mail in your cartons. Items must be empty, dry, have straws removed, and have the caps on. (It doesn't specifically say you need to wash out the cartons, but that would probably be a good idea to do first.)

CDs, DVDs

Send your discs and cases (at your own expense) to the CD Recycling Center. According to their website, they also accept inkjet cartridges, cellphones, small electronics, MP3 players, chargers, floppy disks, computer cables, printer cables, extension cords and Christmas lights; if you want to send in things like that, you should probably contact them first for more information.

Cell phones

Christmas and/or greeting cards

There have been a number of "Christmas card ladies" in Hawaii over the years who accept cards to use for craft projects, and currently there are two who fill this need:

Clothing

Computers and computer-related items, nonworking

Computers and computer-related items, working

Corks, wine

Electronics (non-computer)

Eyeglasses

Foam, styrofoam (polystyrene foam)

Polystyrene foam is usually those big pieces of foam used to pad big boxes for appliances, TVs, computers, computer monitors, and other large items. A Kapolei business -- Pacific Allied Products -- is named by the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers as a foam recycler. Be sure to call first to see if they still accept it and what exactly they take back.

If not, the alliance does offer a mailback program. Check the above link for details.

Glass jars, containers (non-beverage)

Oahu residents. These can be put in the blue bin for curbside pickup. Glass beverage containers (soda bottles, beer bottles, etc.) with the "HI-5" designation can also be put in the blue bin, or you can redeem them at a recycling center to get back your 5-cent deposit.

Gold, jewelry

Aside from selling to a pawn shop or other business that will melt the gold for reuse, you can send it in to websites that will reuse the gold to make new jewelry for you. These sites are listed ONLY for your convenience. I have NOT utilized any of these sites and I cannot give any guarantee as to their quality. In alphabetical order:

Ink cartridges (for printers), laser toner cartridges

Keys

Send your unwanted keys (at your own expense) to Keys for Kids to help fund their programs to benefit youths. Scroll down on the main page to find their mailing address.

Light bulbs

Home Depot has a recycling program that accepts CFL bulbs and even old incandescent holiday lights. I don't know where exactly you have to go in the store; call your nearest location and ask.

Linens, towels

Contact the Humane Society of the United States to see if they can use old towels and linens to help comfort orphaned and injured animals. You might also want to try calling the Hawaiian Humane Society to see if they could use such items as well.

Musical instruments

Contact Hungry For Music, which refurbishes instruments and distributes them to needy children. Particularly valuable instruments are resold and the money used to purchase new instruments to give to kids. It has no local chapter, so you will have to ship your items to them. (Taken from a Family Circle article)

Packing peanuts

Paper, newspaper

Phone books, phone directories

Rather than simply bringing these to a city recycling bin, you can also help local schools by waiting for Verizon Hawaii's yearly phone-directories recycling drive. All phone directories are accepted, not just Verizon's. This drive is in the form of a school contest -- the schools who turn in the most books win cash awards. This contest usually occurs around September; check your newspapers for announcements.

Plastic grocery bags

Since the city instituted a plastic bag ban in 2016 (and which will only get tougher in the future), you might want to hang on to any you have left to line trash cans and put your dog messes in. But if you're determined to get rid of your remaining stash, here are some options:

Plastics

Scanners, computer

The manufacturer may have a recycling program.

Shoes, athletic

Please be sure to CLEAN any shoes before donating!

Smoke alarms

Curie Services takes smoke alarms. You must send to them at your own expense. Their system is a little confusing to me because I have no knowledge of what's inside a smoke alarm, but it requires you to calculate the total activity of Americium-241 (Am-241) of whatever you want to ship. In any case, take a look at their website for more info.

Vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, etc.)

Miscellaneous

The usual charities




Feel free to e-mail me at schala ~~at~~ schala(dot)info with additions, corrections, or other suggestions for this page. PLEASE put the words "Hawaii recycling" somewhere in the subject line so I don't delete your message as spam. Thank you!

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