Post-Holiday Tree Recycling

With the holiday season in full force and Christmas just over a week away, the Solid Waste Division of the County of Hawai’i’s Environmental Management announced that “Treecycling” will be offered at County Transfer Stations.

Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 17, holiday trees can be left in designated areas at any of the County Solid Waste Division Facilities during normal business hours. The Miloli’i and Ocean View Transfer Stations will not be providing these services at their locations.

Individuals dropping off their trees in Hilo can take them directly to the designated area at the East Hawai’i Organics Facility. Holiday trees do not need to be weighed at the County scale. Customers who have other greenwaste for recycling must go to the scale after dropping off their tree.

Only trees that are free from all decorations, stands, lights, tinsel, and ornaments can be recycled. Artificial, flocked, or trees with tinsel are not recyclable and should be disposed of in the regular trash chutes.

Kadomatsu decorations, which usually are combination of bamboo, pine, and flower can also be recycled. Kadomatsu is a Japanese tradition that began over 600 years ago as a way of offering luck in the New Year.

Attendants at the facilities will direct the public to the proper drop-off points.

For additionally information or a map and direction to the drop-off locations, visit the Hawai’i Zero Waste website.