Recycling in Waimea takes some effort.  The county does not make it easy. Mixed recycling is available at most transfer stations, including the one in Waimea.  Glass and metal can be separately recycled.  The best information on what is acceptable is here: http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/

The County has recently stopped accepting plastics.  This is a nation-wide issue, but that doesn’t make it any easier to bear.  I hope a local entrepreneur will soon start a business manufacturing items using locally recycled plastics, but that will take a few years. 

Recycle Across America is doing some great work in both encouraging recycling and educating the public about how to recycle effectively.  https://www.recycleacrossamerica.org/.  I gather that plastic recycling has come to a stand still because China decided it was too costly to clean soiled plastics.  If only we had all rinsed our plastic containers!

Recycling hazardous household waste here is even more inconvenient.  There is only one day a year when the Waimea transfer station accepts hazardous household waste. Obviously, many people are going to take the expedient step, and simply discard such waste into the trash bins. The good news is that if you store your hazardous wastes up and schedule your time to deliver it to the transfer station on the right day, the people staffing the project are fantastic!  Very friendly and efficient.

Recycling in Waimea is not easy, but it is worth the effort!