Recycling Centers in Waimea, HI
Find drop-off recycling locations in Waimea, Hawaii. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Residents of Waimea, Hawaii can use this directory to locate nearby recycling drop-off locations. Whether you have household recyclables or specialty items like electronics or batteries, the facilities listed here can help you dispose of materials responsibly.
Recycling in Waimea: A Local Guide
Waimea (also known as Kamuela) on the Big Island's Kohala Coast is served by three distinct Hawaii County recycling facilities, each with different hours and specialties. The anchor is the Waimea Transfer Station at 66-1597 Kawaihae Road, operated by the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management and open every day from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Residential self-haul of household rubbish is free, limited to one load of up to three cubic yards per day. The station accepts household trash, soft bulky items like mattresses and couches, clean corrugated cardboard, non-HI-5 glass, and—on most weekdays and Saturdays—scrap metal and appliances from 8 AM to 4 PM. An on-site Reuse Center is open daily 9 AM to 5 PM, offering free clothing, books, toys, baby items, and usable latex paint.
For residents along the remote Puako coast, the Puako Transfer Station at 66-1471 Puako Beach Drive provides a nearby alternative on Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It accepts the same broad range of household rubbish and recyclables as the main Waimea station. Scrap metal and appliance recycling is available Tuesday and Friday only (8 AM–4 PM), and HI-5 beverage container redemption runs on Sundays only from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Like all Hawaii County facilities, it is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Atlas Recycling Centers at 64-1004 Māmalahoa Highway fills a different role: it is a state-authorized HI-5 deposit redemption center where residents can turn in aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic beverage containers bearing the HI-5 label and receive their five-cent deposits back. Atlas is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 AM–4 PM and Saturday 9 AM–3 PM. The center also accepts general scrap metal and non-HI-5 recyclables. Bring containers empty, caps off, and sorted by material type for the smoothest experience.
All three facilities are operated under county or state environmental programs and charge nothing to residents for standard drop-off. Nearby communities with additional options include Kailua-Kona, Hilo, Hawi, and Honoka'a. For the full list of Big Island solid-waste sites, visit the Hawaii recycling directory.
All Recycling Centers in Waimea
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Waimea
What are the hours for the Waimea Transfer Station on the Big Island?
The Waimea Transfer Station at 66-1597 Kawaihae Road is open daily 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, including weekends. The only closures are New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Scrap metal and appliance drop-off runs Monday through Saturday 8 AM–4 PM.
Where can I redeem HI-5 beverage containers in Waimea?
Atlas Recycling Centers at 64-1004 Māmalahoa Highway is the authorized HI-5 redemption site in Waimea. It is open Mon/Wed/Fri 9 AM–4 PM and Saturday 9 AM–3 PM. Bring containers empty, sorted by type (glass, aluminum, plastic), with caps removed.
Can I drop off scrap metal at the Puako Transfer Station?
Yes—but only on Tuesday and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Puako Transfer Station at 66-1471 Puako Beach Drive accepts scrap metal and appliances on those days only. For more flexibility, the Waimea Transfer Station accepts scrap metal Monday through Saturday 8 AM–4 PM.
Is there a free place to drop off used clothing and household items in Waimea?
Yes. The Reuse Center at the Waimea Transfer Station (66-1597 Kawaihae Rd) is open daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can both drop off usable items—clothing, books, toys, baby gear, latex paint—and take items for free.