Solid Waste Division

If you have any questions about the information on this page, please email us at solidwaste@kauai.gov or call us at 808-241-4841.  Please keep in mind that the County Offices are closed on weekends and holidays. Mahalo. 

ATTENTION RESIDENTS

The Kapa‘a Refuse Transfer Station (RTS) will be closed for renovations starting Nov. 2, 2024, through July of 2025, Green Waste will remain open.  While the Kapa‘a RTS is closed, all trash, tires, motor oil, and propane tanks can be taken to the Līhu‘e RTS at 3450 Ahukini Road, or the Hanalei RTS at 5-3751 Kūhiō Highway in Princeville.  Scrap metal and appliances can be taken to Hanalei RTS of taken to Puhi Metals Recycling Center on Puhi Road. Materials accepted at the Lihue RTS have been temporarily modified, so please read the listing below and download the materials accepted provided there.  During the Kapaa RTS closure, temporary residential bagged rubbish only will be accepted Friday-Sunday at the Kapa‘a Base Yard located at 4900 Kahau Rd. in Kapa‘a from 8:00 AM- 2:30 PM. For more information you can download this informational handout with a map(PDF, 307KB).  You may also call 808-241-4841 for more information. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate the community’s understanding.

The Lihue Refuse Transfer Station will be reopening Saturday, November 2, 2024. Due to the anticipated influx of waste into the Līhu‘e RTS during the Kapa‘a RTS renovation, and the fact that the Līhu‘e construction is still ongoing to assure the safety of equipment and crew, the list of materials accepted at Līhu‘e is temporarily modified.  Specifically, no construction and demolition materials will be accepted including but not limited to dry wall, wood waste, tile, roofing material, shower stalls and tubs, plumbing pipes, and carpet rolls, pallets will be accepted but must be cut into quarters, and no trailers for trash but ok for green waste.  Please keep in mind that the Lihue Refuse Transfer Station does not accept scrap metal or appliances and should be brought to Puhi Metals on Puhi Rd.  For more information you can download the materials accepted(PDF, 228KB) document or call 808-241-4841.

For more information on what work is being done at each site. Please see the documents below.

Līhu‘e and Kapa‘a Plans Set PDF(PDF, 34MB), Līhu‘e and Kapa‘a Technical Specifications PDF(PDF, 2MB) 

Current Solid Waste Closures

For Weekend and Holiday updates - Call 808-212-4683

Kapa‘a Refuse Transfer Station (5051 Kahi Rd.)- As of Saturday, November 2, 2024  this RTS is closed for renovation.  Green Waste will remain open. See write up above for more information.

Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station (5-3751Kūhiō HWY) - Dec. 20, 21, 22 -  Bagged trash will be accepted starting at 8:00 until truck is full. All other services are available.

Kekaha Landfill (6900-D Kaumuali‘i HWY) - No closures. No scrap metal or propane tanks accepted (large appliances only)

Līhu‘e Refuse Transfer Station (3450 Ahukini Rd.) - Reopening Saturday, November 2, 2024 with some modifications.  See write up above for more information. Appliances and scrap metal must be brought to Puhi Metals on Puhi Rd.

Hanapēpē Refuse Transfer Station (4380 Lele Rd,) -No Closures. 

Collection Delays: 

Due to Refuse Transfer Station closures and modifications, refuse trucks will be emptying their loads at the Kekaha landfill.  This will cause residential refuse collections delays due to travel time for the next several months.  This will primarily effect the Lihue district (routes from Puhi to Hanamā‘ulu) and the Kapa’a district (routes from Kealia to Hanamā‘ulu).  Refuse pick-up could be delayed or occur at different times than usual, residential refuse collections will take place on the regularly scheduled days. Customers are advised to leave their trash out.

Program Description

Administration - This level of the program provides the support and the personnel to manage and direct the solid Waste Division (SWD). Tasks include maintenance of division records, developing and maintaining systems to gather program data and information, preparation and monitoring of contracts, monitoring design and construction of CIPs, and maintaining operation of a professional solid waste organization. This program is also responsible for:

1. Overall administration of solid waste disposal programs
2. Planning of new or expansion of solid waste disposal facilities and closure or post closure care for closed facilities.
3. Research, planning and design of source reduction, recycling, special waste management, and public education/awareness programs.
4. Promoting infrastructure, markets, and end uses for recycled materials.

Landfill Program - The Landfill Program provides for the disposal of residential and Subtitle “D” commercial solid waste at the Kekaha Phase II Landfill. The Landfill is operated utilizing County labor; with environmental monitoring, project management, and quality assurance and control provided by Waste Management Inc.

Greenwaste Diversion Program - The greenwaste Program was created to divert residential and commercial greenwaste from the landfill. The County currently accepts source-separated greenwaste for diversion at all four transfer stations and at the landfill.

Refuse Collections - All Kauai residents transitioned to automated refuse collection in July 2015. Consisting of one truck driver, refuse is collected five days a week including holidays starting at 4:30 am and ending normally about 12:00 pm. There are eight main collectors servicing the entire island. Any questions, please call 241-4091.

Refuse Transfer Stations (RTS) - Operating hours are 7:15 am to 3:15 pm, 7 days a week except for County Holidays (Hanalei Green Waste hours: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. A crew of two staffs RTS's at Hanalei, Kapaa and Hanapepe; a crew of three staffs the Lihue RTS. Collection crews deliver refuse to the RTS. Refuse is loaded into high cube (65 to 75 cubic yard capacity) trailers and delivered to the Kekaha Landfill.

Recycling and Waste Management Programs - This level of the program is responsible for implementing:

1. Source reduction, reuse and recycling programs
2. Special waste management programs including appliances, tires, household batteries, used motor oil, and household hazardous waste disposal.
3. Public education/awareness program.

Program Objectives

1. To maintain public health and safety
2. Provide reliable and sustainable refuse collection, recycling, transfer, and disposal systems for management of solid waste on Kauai.
3. Support the recovery of reusable or recyclable resources from the waste stream.
4. Maintain the County Subtitle D landfill in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and County regulations.