HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR022618DOPWBERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
News Release
February 26, 2018
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
LYLE TABATA, ACTING COUNTY ENGINEER
Tel (808) 241-4996
Fax (808) 241-6604
Kauai Recycles Program change announcement
LIHU'E — Officials with the County of KauaTs Solid Waste Division are announcing that
the Kaua'i Recycles Residential Drop Bin Program is no longer accepting plastic trays and
clamshells, and will continue to accept No. 1 and No. 2 plastic bottles and jars.
On a positive note, Kaua'i Recycles locations can now receive newspaper along with
mixed paper, which will increase convenience for recycling these items and open up more
space at the drop bin locations.
The decision to restrict plastic recycling is part of an ongoing issue nationwide, as China
stopped accepting post -consumer recyclables from other nations starting in January 2018, and
the markets for plastic resins have been shifting and becoming more restrictive.
"This is a major issue for all recyclers and municipalities throughout North America, and
may have unknown and drastic impacts on programs in the U.S.," said Lyle Tabata, acting
county engineer.
No. 1 and No. 2 plastic bottles and jars will continue to be accepted at all Kauai
Recycles Drop Bins, and H15 plastic beverage containers — labeled with HI 5 cents, HAWAII 5
cents, and Hawaii 5 cents — will continue to be accepted at all redemption centers.
For more information, please call the County Recycling Office at 241-4841.
Pictured above: This small food tub is an example of unrecyclable plastic.
Pictured above: This black plastic tray is an example of unrecyclable plastic.
I 1'
Pictured above: Closed clamshells are another example of unrecyclable plastics.