There are products in our homes that are highly toxic and extremely hazardous to the environment. These items cannot be recycled or disposed of in the landfill due to the risk of contamination of our drinking water, soil and air. There are options for the proper disposal or recycling of these materials. To find out what is considered hazardous materials, download "The Hawai'i Guide to Alternatives & Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste," published by the State of Hawai'i Dept. of Health.   The State of Hawai‘i Dept of Health also has an Office of Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response which lists various fact sheets on managing hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants.  For more information on electronic waste see our electronic waste page.

Businesses, Government Agencies & non-Profits

For more information on proper disposal of hazardous waste from businesses, government agencies & non-profits please visit our Business Resources page.  Additional information is available at the State of Hawai‘i Pollution Prevention & Waste Minimization website, click for a listing of Hazardous Materials Management companies.  For fact sheets on disposal or clean ups of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants visit the State of Hawai‘i Dept of Health Office of Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response.

Businesses, Government agencies, non-profits & Residents

Various businesses also offer collections of select hazardous materials in limited quantities:

• DALECO - automotive batteries; 74-5546C Kaiwi St., Kailua-Kona, call 329-4605; fee
• Home Depot - rechargeable power tool batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). (Next to the Customer Service Counter)
• HolidayLEDs.com - holiday lights recycling mail-in program.  Mail in your string of old holiday lights and receive a coupon for discounts at HolidayLEDs.com.
• Interstate Batteries of Hawai‘i - Lead-acid and deep cycle batteries, including solar batteries; Lithium ion batteries ($.50/lb); If a large quantity generator would like to request pick-up service ($.15 - $.20/lb transport/palletizing fee) - call 326-9050 (Kona) & 934-7256 (Hilo)
• Napa Auto Parts - automotive batteries; 64-1019 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, call 885-6000; fee
• Pāhoa Battery & Propane - automotive batteries; 2660 Kea‘au-Pāhoa Rd., Pāhoa, call 965-9499; fee

Residents ONLY

Household Hazardous Waste Collections

For waste from residential households only.

• Hilo Transfer Station: 1st Saturday of June & December, 7:30 to 14:30
• Kailua-Kona Transfer Station: 2nd Saturday of June & December, 7:30 to 14:30
• Pāhoa Transfer Station: Sunday, April 3rd, 2011, 8:30 to 15:30 (Tentative Date)
• Waimea Transfer Station: Saturday, April 2nd, 2011, 8:30 to 15:30 (Tentative Date)

What's Accepted:

• Automotive fluids (including antifreeze and used motor oil)
• corrosives (acids & bases)
• all types of batteries
• fluorescent lights (tubes & CFLs) and chemical ballasts
• mercury thermometers
• unused or outdated prescription medications (no controlled substances or sharps & needles)
• aerosol canisters
• compressed gas cylinders
• oil-based paint & stains
• toxic garden supplies
• poisons
• miscellaneous hazardous or toxic household products

What's NOT Accepted:

• Business or Farm waste are prohibited by law
• Government Agency or Non-profit group generated waste are prohibited
• electronic waste (computers, TVs, printers & etc.), for disposal options see our e-waste page.
• latex paint and base (These items will be collected for reuse by Recycle Hawaii at the Hilo, Kona & Waimea HHW Events; if the paint is junk/rusty solidify it by letting it completely dry out and dispose in regular trash.)
• used cooking oil (solidify and dispose with trash or see our food/organics waste page)
• explosives
• pyrophorics
• flares and water reactive materials
• biological or infectious waste
• controlled substances (e.g. illegal drugs or highly controlled/restricted medications) - for take-back options of unused medications go to The Drug Take-Back Network.
• radioactive & shock sensitive materials
• fire extinguishers
• detergents
• non-hazardous material

For information on proper disposal of other hazardous materials not listed above, contact the County Recycling Office at 961-8554 or Greg Perry, with EnviroServices at (808) 330-1604.