Plastic #1 (PET) and Plastic #2 (HDPE) are accepted for recycling throughout the island at eight locations through the Kaua'i Recycles Program Residential Drop Bin Program. Plastic #1: Clear plastic. It is also a container type that is included under the Hawaii Deposit Beverage Container (HI5) Program. Beverages such as water, sodas, juices, sports drinks, and even beer bottled in #1 plastic are redeemable under the HI5 Program. Plastic #2: Opaque plastic; commonly detergent, shampoo bottles and milk jugs. No containers over 5 gallons accepted, and no containers that previously held oil, gas, or other flammable material.
Plastics #3-#7 are not recyclable on Kaua'i because they have low market value and we do not have a materials recovery facility on island to manage this material at this time. Black plastic is NOT accepted because the color degrades the recycling mix.
Plastic checkout bags are not used by Kauai retailers due to our Plastic Bag Reduction Law, however, film plastic bags in the form of produce bags and food packaging is still in use. Film plastic is not recyclable on Kauai or in the State of Hawaii. Film plastics are problematic in recycling streams because they are often contaminated, and also get tangled in screens and other equipment in materials recovery facilities. We encourage people to source reduce and reuse film plastics as much as possible.
The Garden Island Newspaper accepts clean used plastic newspaper sleeves for reuse at their headquarters in Lihue.
Polystyrene (Styrofoam) Reuse
Polystyrene, or Styrofoam, is not accepted for recycling on Kauai. However, you can reuse packing peanuts by placing them in a clean plastic bag and bringing them to the Kauai Resource Center in Lihue, where the County hosts a "drop and swap" for reuse of foam peanuts and bubble wrap. The UPS Store in Lihue also accepts foam peanuts as well as foam blocks. Foam blocks are cut up and reused for packing material. Call the ups store at 632-2347 for more information and availability.
What you can do
Since plastic is problematic to the environment, we encourage source reduction for this material. If possible, please make efforts to purchase sodas in aluminum, which requires the least amount of resources to recycle. Purchase food products and juice in a glass container instead of plastic.
Reuse shopping bags, bring your own canvas bag and/or limit the number of bags you accept at the store. For more information on Reusable Shopping Bags, see the Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance link on this website.