By Staff Reports
(LĪHU’E)– – The Solid Waste Division recently awarded $40,000 in recycling and waste diversion grants to local organizations.
Among those selected were: Green Hawai’i Conferences; Kalāheo Elementary School; Kaua’i Community Recycling Services; Kaua’i Kunana Diary; Līhu’e Court Townhomes; and Zero Waste Kaua’i.
“The county is pleased to work with these organizations to further awareness about waste diversion, and to make strides toward our efforts to conserve resources and reduce the impact on our landfill,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. “This is a win/win situation for the county and for these organizations who share similar goals.”
The mayor noted that the County Recycling Office will be tracking the projects, and expects to see benefits to the community over time.
“We’re also hoping that these projects will become self-sustaining,” said Mayor Carvalho.
During the review process, the evaluation committee used the following criteria to make its selections: compatibility with county goals; educational impact; measurability of success; experience in implementing similar projects; budget feasibility; ability to leverage other resources; and potential for self-sustainability.
The projects selected for funding include:
- Special events training, Zero Waste Kaua’i, $10,000 – Under this grant, the agency will develop a comprehensive event coordinator training package and a training video titled “How to put on a Zero Waste Event”. In addition, Zero Waste Kaua’i will conduct training sessions with event coordinators, and oversee a minimum of six zero waste events. (Contact – Pat Gegen, 635-2081)
- Expansion of recycling services and educational outreach, Kaua’i Community Recycling Services, $20,400 – The grant will allow KCRS to expand its services at the Kīlauea recycling center to include non-HI5 recyclables such as cardboard, mixed paper and non-HI5 containers (plastic, glass and metals). The program will also support monthly visits to schools to provide training on how to manage redemption container recycling drives for fundraising purposes. (Contact – James Higgenbotham, 645-1676)
- Expansion of recycling programs for residents of Līhu’e Court Townhomes, $2,000 – The program includes the purchase of recycling bins for households, expanding the recyclables accepted on property, and increasing its educational training programs. (Contact – Brian Alston, 246-6997)
- Expansion of recycling programs, Kalāheo Elementary School, $2,500 – The grant will allow the school to implement an ink cartridge recycling program for Kaua‘i residents and businesses, distribute reusable bags to students, and increase recycling promotions with the goal of increasing school fundraising. (Contact – Hillary Johnson, 346-2603)
- Facilitate the production of local sustainable reused products, Kaua’i Kunana Diary, $2,599 – Kunana Dairy will produce products made from reused animal feed bags including: bags; aprons; and wallets sewn. This project will raise awareness about local sustainable reused products. (Contact – Louisa Wooton, 828-0095)
- Facilitate collaborative school recycling programs, Green Hawai’i Conferences, $2,500 – The grant will enable Green Hawai’i to evaluate successful school recycling programs, provide networking opportunities for schools, and replicate successful programs through the network. (Contact – Brian Alston, 808-217-1831)
Another project is pending grant approval.
Anyone with questions about the grants can contact Allison Fraley, Solid Waste Program Development Coordinator at 241-4841 or via email, afraley@kauai.gov.
For more information about recycling, please go to the county website, www.kauai.gov.