Recycling in Hilo, HI

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Hawaii DOH: State Solid Waste Programs (opens in new tab) · Hawaii Department of Health, Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch
  • Chapter 342I, HRS bans lead-acid batteries from household rubbish and landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Used lead-acid batteries must go to battery retailers/wholesalers or DOH-permitted collection or recycling facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Chapter 342I, Part II, HRS bans whole motor vehicle tires from municipal and private landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Used whole motor vehicle tires must go to tire retailers/wholesalers or DOH-permitted tire collection facilities or recyclers. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Hawaii DOH: Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Law (opens in new tab) · Hawaii Department of Health, Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch
  • Hawaii law requires electronic device manufacturers to operate recycling programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Covered electronic devices include computers, printers and monitors. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Televisions with a viewable screen of nine inches or larger are covered electronic devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Hawaii DOH: E-waste Collection Locations (opens in new tab) · Hawaii Department of Health, Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch
  • Manufacturer collection services include staffed drop-off sites, collection services (with a transportation fee) or collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Some manufacturers offer a free mailback option in addition to drop-off and collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DOH lists Mr. K's at 815 Kinoole Street, Hilo 96720 as an e-waste collection location. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • OfficeMax at 311 Makaala Street, Hilo 96720 is a DOH-listed e-waste collection location. Checked October 26, 2026.
• County of Hawai‘i Solid Waste Facilities (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • County Recycling & Transfer Stations accept household soft bulky items such as mattresses and couches at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Items at transfer stations must be 7 feet or less in any dimension; hide-a-beds are prohibited. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Hard bulky items such as hide-a-beds with metal frames must go to the East Hawaii Reload Facility or West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses cannot use the transfer stations. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Solid Waste Facility Locations, Hours, Fees and Rules (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • County Recycling and Transfer Stations are free of charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Hilo transfer station takes corrugated cardboard daily 8–4. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Appliances or White Goods (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • County appliance recycling takes clean, drained household refrigerators/freezers, washing machines and clothes dryers; microwaves and electronics are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • There is no charge for household appliance recycling at County facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No commercial, government or non-profit appliances; one item per customer or vehicle per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Appliance recycling at Hilo runs 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, not Sundays. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Hawai‘i Energy Rid-A-Fridge (with the County) pays $75 per working refrigerator/freezer 14 cu ft or larger and hauls it away free. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Scrap Metal (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • No charge for household scrap metal recycling at County transfer stations. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • County scrap metal bins: no commercial/agency/non-profit metal; one load per day, 3 cubic yard limit. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Scrap metal collection at Hilo runs 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Atlas Recycling Centers in Hilo takes scrap metal and may pay scrap value. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Drop-Off Recycling Program (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • Drop-off bin for flattened corrugated cardboard and brown kraft paper bags only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents may use drop-off recycling bins at transfer stations; businesses may not. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Paint (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • Hilo Reuse Center: usable latex paint accepted from households only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Unusable latex paint must be solidified before going in regular rubbish. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Households may bring limited oil-based paint, varnish or stains to County HHW collection events; landfill disposal not allowed. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • County residents-only HHW collection events accept most household batteries (alkaline, NiCad, NiMH, lithium ≤11 lb, automotive lead-acid). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • HHW collection events for Hilo and Kailua-Kona are scheduled for February 2027 (dates TBD). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • HHW events are for residents only; commercial materials/quantities prohibited by law. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Latex and acrylic paint is not taken at HHW events; it is collected for reuse at County reuse centers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Home Depot Hilo takes non-leaking rechargeable power-tool, phone and laptop batteries free. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Tires (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • County does not collect whole tires at any transfer station or landfill, nor in scrap metal bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tire prices in Hawai‘i include a non-refundable disposal fee; you can leave old tires with the retailer. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Hours, Location, & Contact - Mr. K's Recycle & Redemption Center (opens in new tab) · Mr. K's Recycle & Redemption Center
  • Mr. K's Hilo: 815 Kinoole St., Hilo, HI 96720, open every day 8:30–4:30 except holidays. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Computers, Electronics & Printer Cartridges (opens in new tab) · County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management
  • Mr. K's Hilo (815 Kino‘ole St.) is a free electronics collection site, daily 10–3; households daily, businesses by appointment on weekdays. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • OfficeMax/Office Depot Hilo (311 Maka‘ala St.) offers free electronics recycling collection (no large speakers). Checked October 26, 2026.
• RESTORES - Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island (opens in new tab) · Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island
  • Habitat ReStores accept donated furniture free of stains, pet hair, odors and damage, and mattresses free of stains, tears and odor. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Habitat ReStores accept non-expired, unopened paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Habitat ReStores accept donated furniture free of stains, pet hair, odors and damage, and mattresses free of stains, tears and odor. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.