Holiday Waste Services and Tree Recycling, County of Hawaiʻi Guide
Learn when Big Island County solid waste facilities will be closed for the holidays and how to responsibly recycle your holiday trees and kadomatsu. This guide explains dates, locations, hours, preparation rules, and contact details so you can plan ahead, avoid littering, and kōkua for community cleanliness.
1. Holiday solid waste facility closures
County of Hawaiʻi solid waste facilities will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 for Christmas Day and Thursday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. These closures affect all transfer stations and organics facilities, so plan ahead if you typically drop off waste or greenwaste over the holidays. Expect higher volumes the days before and after closures; leaving items outside gates creates public safety, vermin, and aesthetic issues for your neighborhood, so please refrain from littering.
2. Tree-cycling service window and exceptions
Residential tree-cycling is available to the public from Dec. 28 through Jan. 15, except for the Jan. 1 annual closure when no solid waste services operate. This window gives households a predictable period to recycle natural holiday trees and kadomatsu decorations rather than putting them in landfill trash. Keep the service dates in mind when scheduling removal so you do not store trees at the curb or near station gates during closures.
3. Recycling and transfer stations accepting trees
Several Recycling & Transfer Stations accept holiday trees from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on their regular greenwaste collection days: Kealakehe (Kailua-Kona), Keʻei, Keaʻau, Pāhoa, Volcano, and Waimea. Using your local transfer station on its designated greenwaste day helps the county manage volumes and keeps trucks and staff working efficiently. If you live near one of these stations, note the regular greenwaste schedule to ensure you arrive during accepted hours and avoid unnecessary trips.
4. East and West Hawaiʻi Organics Facility hours and schedules
The East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility in Hilo accepts trees daily from 7 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., with a brief closure from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. The West Hawaiʻi Organics Facility in Puʻuanahulu operates 7 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and also closes for 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. These organics facilities are ideal for larger loads or for residents farther from transfer stations, but check the midday closure and day-of-week schedule for west Hawaiʻi before you travel. Using organics facilities supports composting programs that return organics to beneficial reuse, reducing landfill pressure and supporting local agriculture.
5. Preparation rules, prohibited items, and contact information
Before dropping off trees, remove all decorations, stands, lights, tinsel and ornaments; decorated items, metal stands and non-organic materials contaminate greenwaste streams and must be removed. Do not drop off artificial or flocked trees; flocked or artificial trees and decorated trees are not recyclable and should be disposed of in the regular trash chutes. If you are unsure about acceptability, need clarification on your transfer station’s greenwaste day, or want alternative disposal options, visit Hawaiizerowaste.org or call the Solid Waste Division at 808-961-8270 for guidance and to avoid delays.
Local impact and community significance Following these schedules and rules keeps neighborhoods cleaner, reduces illegal dumping, and helps county crews manage resources efficiently during a high-volume season. Properly preparing and recycling natural trees supports organics processing that benefits soil health and local agriculture, while avoiding contaminated drop-offs prevents extra labor and costs for the county. By planning ahead, observing facility hours, and refraining from leaving waste outside gate areas, you kōkua your neighbors and the broader Big Island community during the holiday period.
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