Moving to the Big Island is filled with all kinds of new experiences.
This can be exhilarating in so many ways but also unexpected and even challenging too. For many people, dealing with their trash becomes an unexpected surprise. The County of Hawai‘i does not provide curbside trash collection for households or businesses.
Unlike Honolulu's centralized processing at H-Power, the Big Island's waste management practices are less standardized. Each district may have its own methods for handling waste, which can include landfilling, recycling, and composting, but these practices are not uniformly applied across the island. Residents must seek private waste removal services for their trash disposal needs.
The Big Island has a more varied approach to trash collection, which can differ by district. Some areas may have curbside collection, while others rely on drop-off centers. This inconsistency can lead to different experiences for residents depending on their location.
On the Big Island of Hawaii, you can dispose of your trash by using the West Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill or one of the 21 Recycling & Transfer Stations available. These facilities are designed to handle various types of waste, including general trash and recyclables.
The Big Island’s Transfer stations have varying hours and rules. Most are open Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays and major holidays, with specific days for different services like scrap metal and green-waste recycling.
Different transfer stations provide various services, including:
- General Waste Disposal: Most stations accept bagged garbage.
- Recycling: Specific stations have designated days for recycling materials like scrap metal and green-waste.
- Construction and Demolition Debris: The East Hawai‘i Regional Sort Station accepts limited amounts of construction waste under specific conditions.
What else should I know before I go?
- Each vehicle is allowed one drop-off per day at the transfer stations.
- It is important to check for any updates or changes in operations, especially during emergencies or special events.
So what are the options for curbside trash collection?
- Big Island Disposal Service
- Weekly residential trash pickup, bulky item removal
- Offers weekly pickups, with a focus on keeping Hawaii clean and green.
- Charges vary based on the amount of trash, with specific guidelines for bagging and weight limits.
- PFI Rubbish Service Inc.
- Weekly residential rubbish removal
- Provides curbside service and operates on a consistent schedule, ensuring pickups even during holidays.
- LoadUp
- Junk removal, in-home and curbside pickup
What are the costs of residential trash pickup services on the Big Island of Hawaii?
Residential trash pickup services on the Big Island typically cost around $40 per month for Hilo residents and $45 per month for surrounding areas. These services usually include weekly pickup of up to 100 gallons of bagged trash.
It all sounds more complicated than it actually is. Once you’ve done it a few times, going to the Transfer station is as ordinary as running any other errand and becomes second nature. In many causes people to be more tuned in to what they consume and how they think of what is trash. Composting can become a productive and fun new activity.
If you’d like the complete list of Transfer Stations, Locations, Hours and rules you can find it here:
https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities/solid-waste-and-recycling-locations-hours-fees-and-rules
