Get rid of old fridges and freezers at upcoming recycling event in East Hawai‘i

Big Island residents looking to get rid of old refrigerators and freezers can do so at a recycling event in Puna later this month.

On Aug. 24, Hawaiʻi Energy, the state’s energy conservation program, in partnership with the County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management, will collect the appliances at Kea‘au Middle School, located at 16-565 Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road in Kea‘au, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hawai‘i Island residents will receive $100 per unit.

Residents must apply in advance to drop off these appliances, and applications are available on a first-come, first-served basis. download the application form on the County of Hawai‘i website here and email the completed form to denise.e.nakamura@leidos.com by Aug. 20.

If submitting by snail mail, the deadline to mail is Aug. 18.

The drive is open to Hawaiʻi Island residents of the following zip codes: 96749, 96778, and 96771.

“Hawai‘i Energy’s Rid-A-Fridge program is a convenient way for residents to recycle their old, energy-consuming refrigerators and freezers which not only helps them save on their monthly electric bills but also prevents these appliances from filling up landfills,” said Caroline Carl, executive director, Hawai‘i Energy.

Since 2010, Hawai‘i Energy has recycled more than 6,000 units through its Rid-A-Fridge program across Hawai‘i Island, Maui County and O‘ahu.

“Hawai‘i Energy’s Rid-A-Fridge program not only helps tackle public dumping but empowers our families to reinvest in energy efficiency on their own terms,” said Alex White, recycling specialist with the County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management.