Honolulu County, HI Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Branch diameter limit
- 9 inches (manual areas)
- Max bundle length
- 3 feet
- Max bundle weight
- 50 pounds
- Manual pickup cap
- 1 cubic yard per collection
Summary
In manual-collection areas of Oahu, tree branches for pickup can't exceed 9 inches in diameter and green waste must be cut to 3-foot lengths in 50-pound bundles under ROH § 42-1.4(a)(1).
In areas provided with manual collection, tree branches set out for collection may not exceed 9 inches in diameter and green waste must be cut into lengths not exceeding 3 feet. All green waste must be tied in bundles, which do not weigh more than 50 pounds each. In areas with automated green waste collection, green waste must be placed in the city-provided green waste cart as designated by the director such that the cart lid fully closes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
ROH § 42-1.4(a)(1) sets specific prep limits for green waste in manual-collection areas: branches capped at 9 inches diameter, cut to no more than 3-foot lengths, bundled at 50 pounds or less. Where the city has switched a route to automated collection, green waste instead goes in the city-provided green waste cart with the lid fully closed. Section 42-1.5(4) further caps tree branches and plant cuttings at 1 cubic yard per regular manual collection.
Violations & Fines
Green waste not bundled or capped to these limits is excluded from collection under § 42-1.5(2)-(3), and a general civil fine of up to $500 per violation applies under § 42-5.1(a), with each day treated as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can tree branches be for Honolulu green waste pickup?
What if my neighborhood has an automated cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.