Recycling Centers in Naalehu, HI
Find drop-off recycling locations in Naalehu, Hawaii. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
If you live in Naalehu and need a convenient place to recycle, this directory helps you find local recycling centers. These centers accept standard materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and aluminum, as well as specialty items depending on the facility. Browse the listings below to find contact information and hours for each location.
Recycling in Naalehu: A Local Guide
Naalehu sits in the heart of the Ka'ū district on the southern tip of Hawaiʻi Island, and the community relies on a single county-operated complex for all its recycling and waste needs: the Wai'ōhinu Recycling & Transfer Station at 95-6155 Kaulia Road. Run by Hawaiʻi County's Department of Environmental Management, the station is open four days a week — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 6 AM to 6 PM — and accepts household rubbish, clean corrugated cardboard, non-HI-5 glass, scrap metal, appliances, greenwaste (household self-haul only, no commercial loads), and 25 categories of electronics under the state's E-Cycles program. HI-5 beverage containers are redeemed Saturdays only, 8 AM–3:30 PM. Note that as of mid-2026, the station is on a modified Hurricane Lala recovery schedule; verify hours at dem.hawaiicounty.gov before your visit.
One of the more distinctive features of the Wai'ōhinu complex is its on-site Wai'ōhinu Transfer Station Reuse Center, operated by Transfer Station Thrift Store LLC under county contract. Open Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7 AM to 5 PM, the reuse center diverts still-usable household goods from the landfill: clothing, books, school supplies, toys, small appliances, and usable latex paint are all accepted. It functions as a free donation outlet for Ka'ū residents who drop items at the transfer station — a practical model that limits what actually gets buried. Call the reuse center directly at 808-491-8596 to confirm hours before the drive.
For residents traveling within the broader Ka'ū district, the nearest alternative transfer stations are the Pāhala Recycling & Transfer Station (open Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday) and the Ocean View Recycling & Transfer Station on Māmalahoa Highway. Naalehu and Ocean View are also part of the same Hawaiʻi Island recycling network, which includes full-service facilities in Kailua-Kona, Hilo, and beyond. For electronics specifically, e-waste accepted at Wai'ōhinu is handled through the statewide E-Cycles Hawaiʻi program — no fee for standard household e-waste.
Ka'ū is one of the most rural districts on the Big Island, so the Wai'ōhinu complex is the only practical option for local recycling — there are no private drop-off chains nearby. Residents asking about hazardous household waste (HHW) such as oil-based paint, pesticides, or fluorescent bulbs should watch the county DEM site for Ka'ū HHW collection events, which are held periodically. The transfer station DEM line is 808-961-8270. Last verified: October 2026.
All Recycling Centers in Naalehu
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Naalehu
What can I recycle at the Naalehu transfer station?
The Wai'ōhinu Recycling & Transfer Station accepts household rubbish, clean corrugated cardboard, non-HI-5 glass, scrap metal, appliances, household greenwaste (no businesses or farms), 25 categories of e-waste, and HI-5 beverage containers (Saturdays only, 8 AM–3:30 PM). It does not accept commercial loads or oversized items (max 3 cu yd, items ≤7 ft).
Does the Wai'ōhinu Reuse Center accept furniture or appliances?
The Wai'ōhinu Reuse Center (open Mon/Thu/Sat, 7 AM–5 PM) accepts clothing, books, small appliances, school supplies, toys, and usable latex paint. Large appliances and furniture are mentioned as potentially accepted at some county reuse centers — call 808-491-8596 to confirm before hauling anything large.
Are there other recycling options near Naalehu for Ka'ū residents?
The next nearest facilities are in the Ka'ū district: Pāhala Recycling & Transfer Station (open Sun/Tue/Fri) and Ocean View Recycling & Transfer Station (open Sun/Tue/Fri). All are part of the Hawaiʻi County solid waste system. For more comprehensive services — HHW, large-volume recycling — the Hilo and Kailua-Kona facilities offer more days and material types.
Is there an e-waste drop-off in Naalehu?
Yes. The Wai'ōhinu Transfer Station accepts 25 categories of e-waste through the Hawaii E-Cycles program at no charge for residential drop-offs. Bring electronics during station hours (Mon/Wed/Thu/Sat 6 AM–6 PM).