Kailua residents and food businesses must follow ROH Sec. 42-3.5 food waste recycling rules; curbside food scrap collection is being phased in under the G.R.O.W. Program.
Kailua's restaurants on Kailua Road and Hamakua Drive, along with grocers like Whole Foods and Safeway, generate significant food waste that falls under ROH Sec. 42-3.5. Ordinance 23-30 (Bill 47) required curbside collection of food scraps and wasted food to be added to the islandwide recyclable materials program by April 1, 2025 (the G.R.O.W. Program). Commercial food establishments have mandatory diversion obligations and must arrange certified hauler pickup. Residential backyard composting is encouraged, especially for Kailua's lush windward yards, but is not mandated. Refuse setout still must comply with ROH Sec. 42-1.4 placement rules.
Commercial non-diversion can trigger escalating fines under Chapter 42. Residential setout violations may result in uncollected carts and administrative citations.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle composting.
See how Kailua's composting rules stack up against other locations.
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