Metal Recycling

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Puhi Metals Recycling Facility

The Puhi Metals Recycling Facility is operated by Resource Recovery Solutions. The mission of the Puhi Metals Recycling Facility is to accept and recycle abandoned, untaxed, derelict and junked motor vehicles, white goods, scrap metal, and other smaller motorized goods such as scooters, lawnmowers, and motorcycles from the County, the general public and commercial entities.

Businesses that are interested in having their white goods or eWaste hauled for a fee, contact Puhi Metals at 245-6919.

Services provided by the Puhi Metals Recycling Facility are FREE to residential users.

Commercial recycling fees now apply.

Estimated Price List

These fees are estimates and the final price will be determined by the site manager. Please call ahead for loads larger than a flatbed.

Puhi Metals Facility is operated by: Resource Recovery Solutions

Located at 3951 Puhi Road in Līhu‘e
(808) 245-6919

Open Monday - Saturday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm 
If disposing of a vehicle please arrive 10-15 minutes before closing time.

Holiday Closures:
All County Holidays

Goods Accepted at Puhi Metals Recycling Facility:

  • Abandoned, untaxed, derelict and junked motor vehicles (with Junking Affidavit from Department of Motor Vehicles)
  • White goods (Appliances)
  • Scrap metal
  • Lead-acid Auto/Vehicle batteries
  • Tires if on vehicle
  • Disposable helium tanks (one time use)
  • De-pressurized propane, oxygen tanks, and fire extinguishers (empty)*
  • Other smaller motorized goods (scooters, lawnmowers, and motorcycles)
  • eWaste - see our eWaste page at http://www.kauai.gov/ewaste

   *Valves must be removed. Charges may apply if valves are not removed. Please contact Puhi Metals for more information at 245-6919.

Please remove batteries from BBQ grills with electronic igniters before disposal. Please see your owners manual or call the manufacturer for information.

Partially full tanks must be emptied and de-valved before drop off.

White goods must be segregated into two categories:

  • Type 1 - containing no refrigerant (i.e. water heaters, clothes washers and dryers, stoves and ranges)
  • Type 2 - containing refrigerant/freon (i.e. refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners).

Puhi Metals does not accept the following:

  • Loose tires
  • Plastic (item material must be 50% metal to be accepted)
  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Light Bulbs
  • X-ray Equipment (ask to speak with management)
  • Styrofoam
  • Household Hazardous Waste
  • Cracked/Broken CRT Screens
  • Loose battery backup lead acid batteries

Non-Ferrous Scrap Metal Redemption

Reynolds Recycling Kaua‘i  Resource Center Lihue 245-7233 or main line at (808) 487-2802 
Open every day except Sundays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; closed for lunch 12 pm – 1:30 pm. Located at 3460 Auhukini Rd. in Līhu'e adjacent to the Līhu‘e Refuse Transfer Station.  Accepts scrap aluminum, copper, and stainless steel and pays out at market value. Redemption of copper requires notarized affidavit of ownership. Visit their website to download the affidavit: https://www.reynoldsrecycling.com/procedures/scrap-metal

Current Scrap prices as of June 2022 (Prices are subject to change without notice)- Scrap price (November 2022)

white goods at the Kekaha landfill

Residents Recycle Scrap Metal & Appliances for FREE

Scrap Metal and Appliances (White Goods) are accepted for recycling at all Refuse Transfer Stations. In the Līhu‘e area, you can drop your scrap metal at the Līhu‘e Refuse Transfer Station or at the Puhi Metals Recycling Facility. ***Please note:  Līhu‘e RTS does not accept white goods and appliances, these would go directly to Puhi Metals.

Examples of acceptable appliances (White Goods) include stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves, refrigerators and air conditioning units (containing Freon).  Examples of acceptable scrap metals includes barbecues, shelving, and water heaters. Lawn mowers and weed whackers can be deposited with scrap metal at transfer stations only if fuel, battery (if applicable), and oil is removed. Lawn mowers containing fuel, batteries, and oil can be taken to the the Puhi Metals Recycling Facility. Objects must be at least 50% metal to be accepted.

Auto Parts are accepted for recycling with scrap metal at the transfer stations. Parts cannot contain fluid. Size restriction is 3 feet in any dimension. 

Propane Tank Recycling

RESIDENTS:

Propane tanks with VALVES INTACT ONLY are accepted from residents free of charge at the Hanalei, Kapa‘a , Līhu‘e , and Hanapepe Refuse Transfer Stations. Tanks sized from 16 oz. up to 10 gallons (40 pounds) are accepted for recycling. Tanks exceeding 10 gallons (40 pounds) are not accepted at the Refuse Transfer Stations.  

Large tanks exceeding 10 gallons are accepted at:

  • Puhi Metals with a $40 fee for valve removal and disposal. Call 245-6919 for location and hours of operation.
  • Airgas with a $50 fee for valve removal and disposal. If you purchase a new tank at Airgas, the fee is waived. Call 245-6766 for location and hours of operation.

Residentially generated tanks without valves should be taken to the Puhi Metals Recycling Facility.  Note that valve removal should only be done by licensed professionals.

 

BUSINESSES: Commercial haulers are required to dispose of depressurized tanks at the Puhi Metals Recycling Facility. Please see the fee list for estimated prices. Valves should be removed before drop off or extra fees may apply. Note - do not attempt to remove valves yourself. Valve removal should be conducted by trained professionals only. Puhi Metals will accept tanks with valves for a fee.  

 

Airgas (245-6766) accepts old tanks for recycling if you purchase a new tank from them.  Home Depot (632-2740) offers a discount on a new tank if you bring your old tank in for recycling. Call for details.