
There are products in our homes that are highly toxic and extremely hazardous to the environment. These items cannot be easily recycled or disposed of in the landfill due to the risk of contamination of our drinking water, soil and air. Additionally, there are environmentally-friendly options for the proper disposal or recycling of these materials. The State of Hawai‘i Department 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.
Customers should first inquire if manufacturers, producers and retailers of hazardous materials offer take-back options for unused material or products that need disposal. Consumers should also purchase safer, more environmentally-friendly alternative products such as LED light bulbs or rechargeable batteries to reduce the amount of hazardous materials generated.
Hazardous Waste
The County of Hawai‘i promotes proper Hazardous Waste Recycling & Disposal through various program and private efforts. Select the topic from the list below to learn more.
BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES & NON-PROFITS
For more information on proper disposal of hazardous waste from businesses (including farms), government agencies & non-profits please visit our Business Resources page. Additional information is available at the State of Hawai‘i DOH Hazardous Waste Section website, click for a listing of Hazardous Materials Management companies (it is the “Haulers & Recyclers List” or the “Permitted Used Oil Transporters/Processors” list). For fact sheets on disposal or clean ups of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants visit the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health Office of Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response.
Buy only what you need and properly use it all, there will be less chance your business will need to dispose of leftover hazardous materials. By law the County of Hawai‘i cannot accept hazardous waste from businesses, agencies, farms and non-profits.
BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, NON-PROFITS & RESIDENTS
Various businesses also offer collections of select hazardous materials in limited quantities:
Location | Types Of Materials Accepted (limits) | Address & Phone |
Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption Center | lead-acid batteries (including automotive, solar system and UPS batteries) – scrap value (per pound rate varies, call for current rate) paid to you alkaline primary battery recycling pilot project (Hilo only) |
Hilo – 815 Kino‘ole St. Kailua-Kona – 73-5631 Kauhola St. (808) 969-1222 (call first) |
DALECO | lead-acid batteries (including automotive, solar system and UPS batteries); FREE (disposal & pick up in service area) | 74-5546C Kaiwi St., Kailua-Kona (808) 329-4605 |
O’Reilly Auto Parts | lead-acid batteries (including automotive and solar system batteries); may give store credit for recycled battery | 2100 Kanoelehua St., Hilo (808) 959-1221 74-5586 Palani Rd., Kona (808) 326-2211 |
Home Depot | rechargeable power tool batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). FREE | (Next to the Customer Service Counter) |
AKW Environmental | various hazardous materials | (808) 430-2339 |
Big Island Scrap Metal | automotive batteries | 16-168 Kalara St., Kea‘au, (808) 854-4530 74-589 Honokōhau St., Kailua-Kona, (808) 854-4530 |
Interstate Batteries of Hawai‘i | Lead-acid and deep cycle batteries, including solar batteries and uninterruptible power supply batteries (UPS) – scrap value paid to you; call for quote; If a large quantity generator would like to request pick-up service call for fee quote | 194 Wiwo‘ole St. – Hilo (808) 934-7256 |
Napa Auto Parts | automotive batteries (fee) | 64-1019 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea (808) 885-6000 |
Battery Bill’s | Lead-acid batteries (including automotive & solar system), other types of batteries. Call for price quote. | 76A Kea‘a St., Hilo (808) 498-0698 |
State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture – Pesticide Disposal Program | Pesticide disposal program for farms and other commercial users of pesticides to safely dispose of canceled, suspended, unwanted or unlabeled pesticides. This Pesticides Disposal Program (PDP) is only for commercial operations such as farms, licensed pest control operators, certified applicators and also state and county agencies. There are some restrictions (see list of acceptable and unacceptable pesticides). Household pesticides will not be accepted under this program. | The registration form and PDP information are available on the HDOA website at: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/pesticide-disposal-program/.
Questions regarding the program and registration assistance should be directed to: EnviroServices & Training Center, (808) 456-3494 or email: . |
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. |
Or how about becoming a rechargeable battery drop-off location, sign up at the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s Call2Recycle website.
The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch has fact sheets that list proper disposal procedures and options, check their website at: https://health.hawaii.gov/shwb/hazwaste/
RESIDENTS ONLY
Household Hazardous Waste Collections
These collection events are sponsored by the Department of Environmental Management to offer County residential households a safe and environmentally friendly method to dispose of household hazardous waste. These collection events will accept normal household hazardous materials in normal household quantities only. By law commercial or industrial materials or quantities will not be accepted at these events and those customers should contact the companies listed above or in the State of Hawaii Department of Health compiled listing of hazmat companies for proper disposal options. Certain restrictions/limitations apply.
For self-hauled waste from residential households only. Social/Physical Distancing Rules apply.
Tentative Schedule & Locations*:
-
-
- Hilo: TBD on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Kailua-Kona: TBD on Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Puna: Pāhoa Recycling & Transfer Station on Sunday, March 3, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Waimea: Waimea District Park Parking Lot on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
-
Dates & Locations will be announced here first when they are finalized.
*Note: Tentative schedule is based on contract procurement, funding and compliance with the interisland quarantine restrictions for our O‘ahu-based contractor and other coronavirus restrictions on these types of events. Mahalo for your understanding.
Customers should pack their items in labeled spill-proof containers (preferably the original containers with label) and be careful when transporting them to the event. Do not mix items unless directed by the material’s label. When at the event please remain in your vehicle in line until authorized personnel come to unload your vehicle. For your safety and the safety of those around you please do not walk your hazardous materials over to the authorized personnel in the restricted area, this precaution is to prevent accidents or spillage and ensure fairness to those already waiting in line. Mahalo for your kōkua.
Social/Physical Distancing Rules For Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events
These rules are for your safety and the safety of the staff conducting these events. Please kōkua and thank you for doing your part to keep these events safe for all participants.
-
-
- Remain in your vehicle unless directed by authorized personnel. Please advise staff, when they approach your vehicle, what you want them to collect to make sure they know what to unload.
- Prior to arriving at the event, place your HHW items in your trunk or truck bed. Make sure your trunk can be unlocked or opened remotely, practice doing so at home. If you don’t have a trunk or truck bed, preferably place your materials in unlocked unoccupied backseat area.
- No container returns. Due to infection transmission hazard all containers brought to the event will not be returned and should be disposable. If you want to keep your container transfer the material into a safe disposable container prior to the event.
- To minimize interactions, please label your HHW items (if possible) and make sure that your HHW items are easily distinguishable and separate from anything else in your trunk or truck bed. Hiding HHW items under or amongst regular garbage only slows the process and may result in missed items.
- Six (6) foot physical distancing is recommended. Facial masks (cover nose and mouth) is recommended.
- If you are under government ordered quarantine or isolation, feeling ill or showing symptoms of illness please consider postponing your participation in our event or designate someone else to drop off your materials.
- You may pull over to the side of the event area safely after the drop-off area to check that your trunk/tailgate is closed properly or if the staff may have inadvertently missed an item.
-
If you cannot make it to one of our events or if you have something that is not acceptable at our events there are private companies that can service your needs for a fee. Please refer to the Business, Government Agency and Non-Profit section above for immediate disposal options.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Flyer
WHAT’S ACCEPTED:
-
-
- Automotive fluids (including antifreeze/engine coolant, used motor oil, gasoline, diesel, lubricants, brake fluid, fuel additives and engine cleaners). 10 gallon limit for any automotive fluids. No container size greater than 5 gallons allowed.
- Limited quantities of do-it-yourself used motor oil are accepted at year-round DIY UMO collection sites, click on link for more info. No business, farm or agency allowed.
- corrosives (acids & bases)
- all types of household batteries (alkaline, NiCad, NiMH, Li-ion (Lithium), lead-acid (automotive) and etc.). Please place duct or electrical tape over the terminals of batteries ≥ 9 volts to prevent accidental fire risk.
- certain types of household flammable liquids (kerosene, home heating oil or lighter fluid – e.g. butane)
- unbroken fluorescent bulbs (tubes & CFLs) and chemical ballasts (pre-1979, label states “PCB”). Instructions on how to safely clean up broken fluorescent bulbs. green-tip fluorescent bulbs still contain mercury.
- residential unit UV water disinfection bulbs (≤ 25W, mercury-containing)
- mercury thermometers
- unused or outdated prescription medications (no illicit/controlled substances or sharps & needles) Hawai‘i Medication Drop-Box Program or PSI’s Got Leftover Medication Info Sheet
- toxic aerosol canisters
- household non-empty compressed gas cylinders/canisters (e.g. propane. Commercial quantities (> 5 gallons) or types of gas not accepted. Empty cylinders are not acceptable, take to Scrap Metal company)
- oil-based paint, varnishes & stains. liquid lead-based paints. paint thinner/turpentine. wood preservatives. chemical paint removers.
- toxic garden supplies (herbicides, pesticides, insecticides and fungicides)
- household poisons (e.g. insecticides, bug spray, household rodenticide)
- photoelectric smoke detectors (must clearly state “photoelectric” (only) type detector. “ionization” or combination with “ionization” type detector not accepted.)
- miscellaneous hazardous or toxic household products (e.g. drain cleaners, pool chemicals, bleach)
- Automotive fluids (including antifreeze/engine coolant, used motor oil, gasoline, diesel, lubricants, brake fluid, fuel additives and engine cleaners). 10 gallon limit for any automotive fluids. No container size greater than 5 gallons allowed.
-
WHAT’s NOT ACCEPTED:
-
-
- Business or Farm (including unwanted farm pesticides) waste are prohibited by law (see Business Resources)
- Government Agency or Non-profit group generated waste are prohibited by law (see Business Resources)
- electronic waste (computers, TVs, printers, printer cartridges & etc.), for disposal options see our e-waste page.
- latex paint and base, acrylic paints (water-based) paint is collected for reuse at the Hilo, Kea‘au and Waimea Reuse Centers at Transfer Stations. If the paint is junk/rusty/unusable solidify it by letting it completely dry out to a solid and dispose in regular trash.
- empty compressed gas cylinders/canisters – these are scrap metal, contact Scrap Metal company. gas cylinders/canisters greater than 5 gallons in capacity. gas cylinders/canisters containing industrial-use gases (e.g. acetylene)
- fertilizers
- farm / agricultural / industrial restricted use pesticides (unwanted agricultural or industrial pesticides may be collected by State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture)
- used cooking oil (solidify or absorb and dispose with trash or see our food/organics waste page – freezing doesn’t count as solidification)
- fluorescent light ballasts manufactured after 1998 (have no PCBs and are considered scrap metal)
- incandescent or LED bulbs (dispose with regular rubbish), cracked/broken fluorescent bulbs
- explosives, ammunition or fireworks. Unwanted ammunition can be safely disposed of through the Police Department; call the non-emergency police contact number, 935-3311, and describe the ammunition you need to dispose.
- pyrophorics
- flares and water reactive materials
- biological or infectious waste. e.g., anything that came into contact with blood, bodily fluids or animal waste; needles, sharps or syringes (Proper Disposal of Home Healthcare Waste & Safe Syringe Disposal Options)
- unused sharps, needles or syringes (check online for retailers that offer mail-back options)
- Electronic Smoking Devices (ESD a.k.a. ‘E-cigarettes’ or ‘vaping devices’) and cartridges (‘pods’) containing liquid nicotine or THC liquid. Please dispose of liquid nicotine cartridges (‘pods’) via the DEA National Drug Take-Back Initiative.
- controlled substances (i.e. illegal drugs, highly controlled/restricted medications, narcotics) – for take-back options of unused legal medications go to the Hawai‘i Medication Drop-Box Program, DEA National Drug Take-Back Initiative or the Go-to-Guide for Safe Drug Take-Back.
- radioactive & shock sensitive materials
- fire extinguishers & ionization smoke detectors (clearly states “ionization” or “americium 241” sensor type, not accepted – return to manufacturer) (info sheet)
- detergents, household soaps, household/glass/window cleaners
- tires are prohibited by law
- non-household quantities of materials (e.g. > 10 gallons) or non-household size containers (e.g. > 5 gallons containers or 55 gallon drums)
- non-hazardous material
-
For information on proper disposal of other hazardous materials not listed above, contact the County HazMat Disposal Infoline at (808) 961-8554 or Greg Perry, with EnviroServices at (808) 330-1604. For immediate disposal options (for a fee) please refer to the Business, Government Agency and Non-Profit section above for hazmat company listing.