Trash & Recycling in Hawaii County, HI (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Hawai'i County runs no curbside trash pickup for most residents: County Code Section 20-03-01 requires every owner or occupant to haul solid waste to a County-approved Solid Waste Division (SWD) facility under department rules. SWD facilities operate at least two days a week under Section 20-02-03. Businesses, government agencies, religious entities and nonprofits must hold a disposal permit under Section 20-03-02 before dumping at any facility.
No Curbside Trash Pickup in Hawai'i County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code §§ 20-03-01, 20-03-02
Every owner or occupant of any residence or business or premises within the County shall dispose of solid waste in a County approved SWD facility in accordance with department rules. ... Every business, government agency, religious entity or nonprofit organization shall first obtain a disposal permit issued by the director and make payment of the permit fee as required before disposing of solid...
Bin Placement Rules
Because the County of Hawai'i runs no curbside collection, there are no set-out times or curb-placement rules for household bins in most areas. Waste is deposited at transfer and recycling stations into county compactors and marked drop-off bins, not left at the curb for pickup.
Bin Placement Rules on Hawaii Island
Some RestrictionsHCC 20-03-03(a)
No person shall leave, abandon, or place any wrecked or nonoperational automobile or construction equipment or part or portion of a wrecked or nonoperational automobile or construction equipment, or scrap iron, or other similar material, upon any part of a public highway, public property, or private property of another.
Bulk Item Disposal
There is no curbside bulky-item pickup. Residents self-haul large items to the recycling and transfer stations, which accept soft compactable bulky items such as mattresses, stuffed chairs, and couches, plus residential do-it-yourself construction debris, at no charge (limit one residential load per day).
Bulky Item Disposal on the Big Island
Some RestrictionsHCC 20-03-04
Any material delivered or deposited at a SWD facility shall become the property of the County. No person shall separate, collect, carry off, or dispose any article from any County SWD facility unless authorized to do so by the director.
Recycling Requirements
Hawai'i County offers free drop-off recycling and HI-5 beverage-container redemption at its transfer and recycling stations, but household recycling is largely voluntary self-haul. Recyclables should be separated from rubbish before disposal, and greenwaste drop-off for composting is free for residents.
Recycling Rules on Hawaii Island
Some RestrictionsHCC 20-05-01
Food providers and County facility users are prohibited from providing food in disposable food service ware that is made from polystyrene foam.
Illegal Dumping
Illegally dumping rubbish, appliances, or a derelict vehicle on public land, roads, or another person's property is prohibited by Hawai'i County Code Chapter 20 and by state litter law (HRS Chapter 339). County civil fines run up to $1,000 per day; state litter fines run $100 to $500 per offense.
Illegal Dumping Penalties in Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHCC 20-03-03(a)
No person shall leave, abandon, or place any wrecked or nonoperational automobile or construction equipment or part or portion of a wrecked or nonoperational automobile or construction equipment, or scrap iron, or other similar material, upon any part of a public highway, public property, or private property of another.
Recycling Rules
Hawai'i County bans polystyrene foam food service ware outright and requires every food vendor and County facility user to switch to a recyclable or compostable product under Sections 20-05-01 and 20-05-02. Disposable cups, plates, bowls, and clamshell containers must be independently certified compostable or genuinely recyclable, not just labeled "eco-friendly." The Department of Environmental Management enforces the mandate through Chapter 20's civil and criminal penalties.
Polystyrene Ban and Recyclable Food Ware Rules
Significant RestrictionsHawai'i County Code §§ 20-05-01, 20-05-02
Food providers and County facility users are prohibited from providing food in disposable food service ware that is made from polystyrene foam. ... (a) All food vendors using any disposable food service ware shall use a suitable recyclable or compostable product. (b) All County facility users shall use a suitable recyclable or compostable product for disposable food service ware.
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