Recycling for Change

Information may not be reliable

All RECYCLING FOR CHANGE proceeds are used to educate residents, visitors, businesses, policymakers, and the media about critical environmental & cultural issues in our shared efforts to preserve, protect, restore & enjoy in culturally & environmentally appropriate ways the land, the water & the air as well as the flora & the fauna who live on, in, under, or above them.

Back in January, 2005, the Windward Ahupua`a Alliance, a non-profit founded in July, 2002, initiated a recycling program to help support the Beverage Container Deposit Law passed by the Hawai`i State Legislature in 2002 after more than three decades of Try, Try Again.
Unfortunately, implementing the new law turned out to be a logistical nightmare for a number of reasons - mostly political - so it didn't get off to a very good start. WAA quickly realized that it needed to step in to fill a much-needed gap by making it easy to do the right thing starting here in Windward O`ahu.
WAA's initial redemption programs consisted of ataffing a weekly drop-off point alternating between Kailua & Kane`ohe for people donating their cans & bottles to WAA for the redemption fee and providing recycling services for other community organizations putting on special events.
In early February, 2005, we began offering pick-up services anywhere on O`ahu with a minimum of 100 eligible cans & bottles. Although this service was originally designed for businesses, construction sites, restaurants, bars, retail stores, and office buildings, we started offering the same service to individuals and families as long as the minimum number of 100 containers is met at each pick-up site.
By the end of March, 2005, we knew that we had to have a physical location which is when we initiated our search for a commercial/industrial landlord who might even be a tad bit socially-conscious. It soon became apparent that finding a great location at a reasonable price in reasonably decent condition wasn't going to happen any time soon.
But still we kept looking .... and .... looking .... and .... looking some more. But by July, 2005, we reluctantly put the search on hold while we focused on developing other aspects of the business.
NOTE: More than five years later, we still haven't found a location. All processing is done in our carport. Total number processed: Well over 900,000 HI-5 containers.

Since 2005, we've held about a dozen community drives each year along with providing special event recycling services and commercial pickups. Although we haven't totally given up developing a full-on recycling business, it's not likely to happen anytime soon.

RECYCLING FOR CHANGE provides FREE pick-up services anywhere on O`ahu in exchange for the redemption fee as long as each stop generates at least 100 eligible cans or bottles.
Pick-ups can be arranged from once a month to as often as twice a week on pre-determined schedules. For more information, call 247-6366 ext. 2#, 224-4496, or 223-4481.

Besides pick-up services anywhere on O`ahu, RECYCLING FOR CHANGE's second major program is its RFC Special Events Services for community groups such as schools, churches & other non-profits holding fundraisers anywhere on O`ahu.
Here's the deal: RFC will provide labeled recycling bins, large garbage sacks, and periodic clearing out of the bins during your Very Special Event. It will then remove the bins & bags when the event is pau, process the containers, and transport them to a redemption center. Clients have the choice of taking 40% of the redemption fees collected or donating the entire amount to WAA.
Most community events such as school fun fairs and church rummage sales will generate about $30 - $50 all totaled in recycling fees. We have found that most groups feel that this is a very small price to pay for doing the right thing - recycling - and for helping WAA continue its own programs.
More importantly, they don't have to tie up their own volunteers.
RFC Special Events Services are also offered to business & individual clients for special events such as corporate picnics or family reunions in exchange for keeping the entire redemption fee.
If your organization is planning a special event and would like to work with us to provide this service, please call 247-6366 ext. 2#, 224-4496, or 223-4481.

RECYCLING FOR CHANGE now has indoor recyling baskets suitable for office lunchrooms and other common areas which not only encourage recycling but also do it in style. These baskets can also be used at home and even outdoors provided that there is adequate protection from heavy rains.

The baskets come in two sizes and are decorated with a variety of recycled materials to meet seasonal or permanent themes. The smaller size sells for $12.50 and the larger one for $15 plus 4.5% General Excise Tax. There's also a $5 delivery charge.

NOTE: The purchase fee is waived if buyer signs up for weekly RECYCLING FOR CHANGE pickup services for one year with a 100-can minimum per stop. The delivery fee is waived if the buyer signs up for three months of service. Additional bins delivered at the same time will receive a 10% discount.

For more information, call 247-6366 ext. 2#, 224-4496, or 223-4481 or send an e-mail to recycling4change.com.

RECYCLING FOR CHANGE works with schools, churches, youth groups, service clubs, community associations, businesses, and other organizations to design ongoing recycling programs or plan an intensive community cleanup targeted against illegal dumping & derelict vehicles. This is part of our ongoing BUST-A-DUMPER Campaign Against Illegal Dumping and Abandoned & Derelict Vehicles Anywhere in Hawai`i.
Fees charged for these services are negotiable. Please call 247-6366 ext. 2#, 334-4496, or 223-4481 for more information.

For more information about current RECYCLING FOR CHANGE programs or to suggest new ones, please call 247-6366 ext. 2# or 224-4496 or send an e-mail to info@recycling4change.com. If you know of possible commercial/industrial rental space either in Kane`ohe or the Iwilei through the airport area, please let us know right away.