America Recycles Day is Nov. 15, and this year KTA Super Stores is challenging the community to “Choose Hawai‘i” by buying local products and recycling beyond the typical HI5 items.
KTA is partnering with Pacific Biodiesel and Maiden Hawai‘i Naturals to make it easier for consumers to purchase locally-made culinary oil, recycle their household used cooking oil, and help support families in need this holiday season.
The “Choose Hawai‘i” campaign kicked off on Monday, Nov. 15 with an Instagram and Facebook giveaway and special holiday pricing on Maiden Hawai´i Naturals culinary oils. Then used cooking oil (UCO) collections will happen daily from Nov. 26 through Dec. 7 at Pacific Biodiesel’s refinery and on Sunday, Dec. 5 at KTA Super Stores Puainako location. For every gallon of household UCO collected during this time period, Pacific Biodiesel will donate $1 to The Food Basket to help end hunger on Hawai‘i Island.
Used cooking oil may not be the first thing that you think of to take in for recycling, but there are many reasons to recycle this household byproduct. Used cooking oil dumped down a kitchen drain can create clogs and cause problems for wastewater treatment plants, while UCO dumped in the ground or taken to the landfill can seep into the water table. These results can be destructive both to homeowners and the environment.
Pacific Biodiesel is Hawai‘i’s only commercial producer of biodiesel. At its refinery on Hawai‘i Island, the company annually produces more than 5.5 million gallons of premium, distilled biodiesel that’s sold entirely in Hawai´i. The company recycles used cooking oil from restaurants statewide for use in the production of biodiesel. For every gallon of UCO that is recycled, nearly one gallon of biodiesel is produced by Pacific Biodiesel. Pacific Biodiesel co-founder Kelly King was recently appointed to a seat on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Governments Advisory Committee. She was also selected as one of two delegates who attended the UN Climate Change of the Parties (COP 26) in Scotland.
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To “Choose Hawai‘i” and help save the world 1 gallon at a time, follow these steps to prepare your household used cooking oil for recycling:
● Allow the UCO to cool thoroughly after use. Store the cooled oil in a leak-proof glass, plastic, or metal container with a secure lid. This is a great way to reuse an old pickle jar!
● Bring the sealed container to the drop-off point and place in the containment tray as instructed.
● Please note that you may not bring any of the following items: motor oil, petroleum-based products,
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solid food waste, paint, trash
Properly prepared household UCO can be dropped off at the following locations:
➢ Pacific Biodiesel, 16-240 Mikihala St, Keaau, HI 96749 — from November 26 through December 7, 2021, daily from 9am to 4pm
➢ KTA Super Stores Puainako Parking Lot along Hwy 11, 50 E. Puainako St, Hilo, HI, 96720 — Sunday, December 5 from 10am to 12pm
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Help spread the word and encourage others to “Choose Hawai‘i ”in KTA Super Stores’ Giveaway on Instagram and Facebook from Nov. 15 through Nov. 25. Enter for a chance to win 1 of 5 prizes worth over $100. Five winners will be announced on Nov. 26. Additionally, KTA Super Stores is offering special holiday pricing on Maiden Hawai‘i Naturals culinary oils – the Maui Sunflower Culinary Oil and the Hawaiian Macadamia Culinary Oil will each be available for $14.99 at KTA Super Stores from Nov. 15 through Dec. 7.
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