Kauai County, HI Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Kaua'i County's curbside recycling program runs under Chapter 21, Sections 21-2.1(b) and 21-2.2. Section 21-2.1(b) gives each automated-collection premises one County-issued refuse cart, with the County Engineer authorized to approve an additional cart if an occupant requests and needs one; only County-provided carts can be used in areas the Engineer designates for the service. Section 21-2.2(a)(3) adds that properties enrolled in curbside recycling projects receive a separate cart with a blue lid, provided at no additional charge, for recyclable materials, and the County Engineer decides both which materials are accepted in the blue cart and where it is placed at the curb.

Section 21-2.2(c)(3) lays out the pilot curbside recycling project in more detail: the Department selects the participating areas, requires enrolled owners and occupants to separate and place only the Engineer-designated recyclable materials in the recycling cart, can collect that material on a different schedule than regular refuse, imposes no charge for the recycling pickup, and does not landfill the collected recyclables except in an emergency or when no market exists for them. The Department can also contract with a private company to receive, process, sell or transport the recyclables.

If an owner or occupant refuses or neglects to separate recyclable materials as the Department requires, Section 21-2.2(c)(3)(B)(vii) lets the Department impose the Section 21-1.6 fine, capped at one thousand dollars per offense, but only after giving at least two warnings first.