Refuse Transfer Stations
Phase I of the Kapa'a Refuse Transfer Station renovations is now open. The facility will be accepting bagged trash only (no loose mixed waste) and offer recycling services for scrap metal (6' limit), appliances, tires, used motor oil, and propane tanks.
Residents can bring loose mixed waste to the the Līhuʻe RTS at 3450 Ahukini Road, or the Hanalei RTS at 5-3751 Kūhiō Highway in Princeville until the remaining improvements are completed.
Weather permitting, green waste will continue to be collected at the bottom of Kahi Rd. until the remaining improvements are completed.
Refuse Transfer Station Status & Route Delays
Updated trailer policy at all County Refuse Transfer Stations
- The previous 5 ft by 8 ft by 2 ft trailer size restrictions are no longer in effect.
- Trailers with loads up to the ordinance‑referenced ¾‑ton capacity are permitted.
- Trailers approximately 10 feet in length will be allowed, provided they can be safely maneuvered within the facility.
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Larger trailers that clearly exceed the 3/4-ton capacity per KCC section 21-3.1, or cannot be safely operated within the designated receiving areas at a refuse transfer station, may still be turned away at the discretion of onsite staff.
Users are reminded to follow all posted safety guidance and attendant instructions while on site.
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Metals and appliance drop-off now open at the following facilities:
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Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station
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Hanapēpē Refuse Transfer Station
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Kekaha Landfill
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Kapaa Refuse Transfer Station - 6 ft. limit on scrap metal
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Lihue Refuse Transfer Station - does not accept scrap metal and appliances, must be brought to Puhi Metals.
Locations
Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station, 5-3751 Kūhiō HWY
Kapaʻa Refuse Transfer Station, 5051 Kahi Rd.
Līhuʻe Refuse Transfer Station, 3450 Ahukini Rd.
Hanapēpē Refuse Transfer Station, 4380 Lele Rd,
Kekaha Landfill, 6900-D Kaumualiʻi HWY
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.)
FOR TRANSFER STATION CLOSURES PLEASE GO TO THE LANDFILL & REFUSE TRANSFER STATION STATUS PAGE OR CALL 808-212-4683
Charges apply for commercial deposit of green waste and refuse. All other programs including scrap metal, tires, motor oil, and propane tanks are restricted to residents only. Call 808-241-4841 to learn more about commercial recycling opportunities.
RECYCLING PROGRAMS at Refuse Transfer Stations & Landfill
| HANALEI |
KAPAʻA |
LIHUE |
HANAPEPE |
KEKAHA LANDFILL |
| Green Waste |
Green Waste (6ft limit) |
Green Waste |
Green Waste |
Green Waste |
| Tires |
Tires |
Tires |
Tires |
Tires |
| Motor oil |
Motor Oil |
Motor Oil |
Motor Oil |
Motor Oil |
| Scrap Metal |
Scrap Metal (6' ft limit) |
Bring scrap metal to Puhi Metals Recycling. Call 808-245-6919 |
Scrap Metal |
Scrap Metal-place in bin near refuse drop-off. |
| Appliances |
Appliances |
Bring appliances to Puhi Metals Recycling. Call 808-245-6919 |
Appliances |
Appliances |
| Motor Oil Filters |
Motor Oil Filters |
Motor Oil Filters
|
Motor Oil Filters |
Motor Oil (only) |
| Propane Tanks |
Propane Tanks |
Propane Tanks |
Propane Tanks |
|
| Residential Recycling Bins |
|
Bulky Items* |
Residential Recycling Bins |
Bulky Items* |
* Bulky Items are mattresses or furniture greater than 3 feet in size.
Restrictions on Municipal Solid Waste
- Bulky Items, such as mattresses and furniture bigger than three feet, are ONLY accepted at the Lihu'e Transfer Station or the Kekaha Landfill.
- Commercial Construction and Demolition items must be cut into three feet or smaller sections.
- Pallets must be cut in half at all Refuse Transfer Stations (quartered at Lihue RTS) locations except at the Kekaha Landfill.
- Lihue' RTS does not accept Appliances. Please take these items to Puhi Metals, 3951 Puhi Road in Lihu'e. Hours Monday - Saturday 7:30am - 3:30pm. No charge for Residents. Businesses should call 808-245-6919 for a disposal quote.
Commercial Waste
Vehicles with Commercial plates are required to purchase Tipping Fee Coupons in order to dispose of mixed waste at RTS's. Coupons are available for purchase at the Treasury Department desk located in the Department of Motor Vehicles building at the Civic Center. Commercial vans, trailers and 3/4 ton capacity trucks are limited to 2 loads per vehicle per day.
Rates are:
- $6 for a commercial passenger vehicle
- $10 for a pickup truck or small trailer 1/2 ton and under (normally an F-150)
- $20 for a full sized pickup truck or large trailer up to 3/4 ton (normally an F-250)
Trailers carrying loads up to the ordinance-referenced ¾-ton capacity are permitted. Trailers approximately 10 feet in length will be accepted, provided they can be safely maneuvered within the facility. Trailers that clearly exceed the ¾-ton capacity under Kauaʻi County Code Section 21-3.1, or cannot be safely operated within designated receiving areas, may be turned away at the discretion of on-site staff.
Any commercial vehicle or truck that has been rented will be subject to Tipping Fee Coupons.
For information on the Landfill along with rates, please visit the Landfill page.
Prohibited Materials
The following materials shall not be accepted or temporarily stored at Refuse Transfer Stations:
(a) Ashes;
(b) Bulky items and construction and demolition debris greater than three (3) feet in any dimension*. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Līhuʻe Refuse Transfer Station may accept, from self-haulers, bulky items such as bed mattresses and box springs and other whole furniture items made of wood;
(c) Used motor vehicle and heavy equipment tires whether whole, cut, sliced, chipped, or shredded, except for whole automobile and passenger truck tires from residential self-haulers for recycling;
(d) White goods, except for white goods from residential self-haulers, for recycling;**
(e) Animal carcasses, parts or innards; animal feces not considered pet animal waste, liquid waste; medical waste which has not been rendered non-infectious through sterilization;
(f) Explosives;
(g) Toxic and hazardous wastes;
(h) Pressurized containers, except for propane cylinders of ten (10) gallon capacity or less from residential self-haulers for recycling;
(i) Corrugated cardboard from businesses, industrial, governmental, institutional, and other nonresidential sources that exceeds ten percent (10%) of the load, by volume;
(j) Ferrous and non-ferrous metal items from businesses, industrial, governmental, institutional, and other nonresidential sources that exceed ten percent (10%) of the load, by volume; and
(k) Monitors (cathode ray tubes and liquid crystal displays) from businesses, industrial, governmental, institutional and other nonresidential sources.
The provisions provided in Subsections (i), (j), and (k) of this Section shall not apply to County refuse collection vehicles that collect or receive solid waste from residential sources. (Ord. No. 706, August 6, 1996; Ord. No. 902, July 28, 2010)
*The Kapa‘a Refuse Transfer is restricted to metal and green waste no longer than 6ft in length.
**White goods and metal are not accepted at the Līhu‘e Refuse Transfer Station. Puhi Metals accepts white goods in Līhu‘e from businesses and residents.