Starting April 1, residents in six Oʻahu communities can take part in a new food scrap composting pilot. This program lets households put food waste into their green compost carts, which will reduce what goes to landfills. Participating areas include Waipahu, Nānākuli, Hawaiʻi Kai, Mililani, Kailua, and Kalihi. If successful, the program will expand across the island later this year.
Food waste is a major contributor to Oʻahu’s garbage. A 2017 study showed organic materials make up about 36% of waste, with food waste alone at around 20%. Henry Gabriel, head of the Department of Environmental Services (DES) Recycling Program, explained that composting is a step towards the city’s goal to divert 95% of waste from landfills by 2030.
The pilot program aims to learn from diverse community participation. DES will monitor how many people join in, the quality of the waste collected, and how much compost is produced.
Councilwoman Andria Tupola expressed support for the initiative, calling it essential for lessening landfill reliance. Operating costs for the program will fall between $15 million and $21 million each year, based on how much food waste is collected. This is the city’s first attempt at such a program, necessitating investment in infrastructure and processes specifically designed for composting food waste.
By composting, Oʻahu can better manage waste and cut back on greenhouse gas emissions from rotting food. Food waste has higher moisture content, needing more energy for processing. Composting reduces landfill needs while promoting sustainability.
Gabriel highlighted that success will be measured by the amount of food waste diverted from homes participating in the pilot. The green bins will be used for yard waste and now include food scraps, picked up every other week.
To help residents participate, the city will hold workshops in February and March. These sessions will offer guidance on composting practices and minimizing smells. Residents can also drop off their food scraps at the Hawaiian Earth Recycling facility in Wahiawā for free, starting April 1, with a limit of two loads per day.
In a recent survey, a significant number of residents expressed interest in reducing waste at home. Engaging the community is critical for the pilot’s success. If successful, it could establish a sustainable system for managing organic waste on Oʻahu.
For further details about the composting pilot and waste management strategies, check out the City and County of Honolulu’s official resource here.
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