Department of Environmental Services

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Refuse Division

G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) Program

REDUCE & COMPOST TO A HEALTHIER HAWAIʻI

The City launched pilot G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) to INCLUDE THE FOOD in the green compost carts in Waipahu, Nānākuli, Hawaiʻi Kai, Mililani, Kailua, and Kalihi. As of October 1, 2026, G.R.O.W. is implemented islandwide! All homes on Oahu with the City’s automated curbside 3-cart system are encouraged to INCLUDE THE FOOD directly into the green compost carts for collection and composting. Food scraps account for about 60,000 tons of garbage in Oahu in a year. Composting food scraps reduce waste and creates nutrient-rich fertilizer.

View Informational Materials

 

Wasted Food = Wasted Resources

Food that is sent to a landfill takes up valuable space and also releases methane gas as it decomposes.  Methane gas is a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Composting diverts food waste from the landfill, reduces greenhouse gases, and turns wasted food into valuable soil amendments to help grow more plants and keep Hawaiʻi’s lands healthy.

How can you help?

Mālama ʻāina starts with you! Reduce food waste in your home. INCLUDE THE FOOD in your green compost carts and turn your food scraps and wasted food into compost.

Include The Food

SIMPLE STEPS FOR COLLECTION

What goes in my Green Compost Cart?

INCLUDE FOOD SCRAPS & WASTED FOOD

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Dairy products: solids and semi-solids at room
temperature (such as cheese and yogurt)
• Bread and baked goods
• Pasta, rice, grains, and cereal
• Beans, nuts, and seeds
• Meat, seafood, poultry, and bones (such as from fish and
chicken)
• Eggshells, nutshells, and seafood shells
• Leftovers and spoiled food
• Table scraps and plate scrapings
• Loose coffee grounds and tea leaves/grounds

INCLUDE GREEN WASTE

• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Branches
• Hedge trimmings
• Palm fronds
• Natural Christmas trees

DO NOT INCLUDE

• Liquids
• Paper and paper products
• Plastic
• Metal
• Glass
• Fats, oils, and greases (FOG)
• Manufactured compostable materials (MCM): products
labeled Compostable and Biodegradable
• Pet waste
• Coffee cups
• Takeout containers and pizza boxes
• Fast food wrappers and packaging
• Corks, rubber bands, produce stickers, and twist ties
• Dirt, rocks, bricks, and plant pots

HOW TO PREPARE FOR COLLECTION

• NO BAGS! Empty food scraps and wasted food loose into your green compost cart.

• Freeze your food scraps and waste food until the night before or morning of your collection day.

• Layer or bury your food waste with your green waste. Making sure you have a thick layer of green waste at the top of your pile to reduce pests and odors.

• Sprinkle coffee grounds or baking soda to help reduce odors.

A man places leaves and yard trimmings into a green City and County of Honolulu organics cart outside a residential home.

Learn About the G.R.O.W. Program

11 Videos

Informational Materials

G.R.O.W. program brochure explaining how composting food scraps reduces waste on Oʻahu. Includes tips for storing food scraps in a kitchen container and adding them to the green compost cart.
G.R.O.W. program infographic showing three steps for food scrap collection: store scraps in a kitchen container, add food scraps to the container, and empty the container into the green compost cart. Also lists accepted food scraps such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggshells, and coffee grounds.
Fact sheet explaining the environmental impacts of wasted food and how composting helps reduce landfill waste and methane emissions. Includes the EPA wasted food scale and tips for preventing food waste at home.
Fact sheet describing how composting supports mālama ʻāina and environmental stewardship. Includes steps for collecting food scraps and lists examples of accepted food scraps and green waste for composting.
Flyer showing what items can go into the green compost cart, including food scraps such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggshells, and coffee grounds, along with green waste like grass clippings and branches.
Flyer providing tips for properly sorting compost materials and keeping the green compost cart clean, including layering green waste and food scraps and storing carts in shaded areas.
Mailer introducing the G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) pilot program starting April 1, 2026, allowing residents in Waipahu, Nānākuli, Hawaiʻi Kai, Mililani, Kailua, and Kalihi to add food scraps to their green compost carts. The graphic shows examples of accepted food scraps such as banana peels, eggshells, fruit peels, bread, avocado pits, and bones.
Mailer explaining three easy steps for collecting food scraps for the G.R.O.W. program: place a kitchen container in a convenient location, add food scraps to the container, and empty the container into the green compost cart.
Frequently asked questions document introducing the G.R.O.W. program, which allows select Honolulu households to add food scraps to their green compost carts starting April 1, 2026.
FAQ page listing neighborhoods included in the G.R.O.W. pilot program, including Waipahu, Nānākuli, Hawaiʻi Kai, Mililani, Kailua, and Kalihi, and explaining participation and program eligibility.
FAQ page explaining why food scraps are being added to green compost carts and how the program helps reduce landfill waste and support Honolulu’s landfill diversion goals.
FAQ page listing what food scraps can and cannot be placed in the green compost cart, including accepted items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggshells, and coffee grounds.
FAQ page explaining how residents should store food scraps before collection and providing tips for reducing odors and pests in kitchen containers and compost carts.
FAQ page describing compost processing at the Hawaiian Earth Recycling facility and answering questions about compost availability and program participation.
FAQ page providing additional information about the G.R.O.W. program, including contact information and resources for learning more about composting food scraps.

• Your Food Collection Guide Brochure (Printable PDF)
• What Goes in Your Green Compost Cart Flyer (Printable PDF) 
• Reduce and Compost to a Healthier Hawaiʻi Fact Sheet (Printable PDF)
• Informational Mailer for Pilot Participants (Printable PDF) 
• G.R.O.W. Frequently Asked Questions Document (Printable PDF)

Translated Materials

Cantonese

G.R.O.W. Program – Green Recycling Organic Waste
City and County of Honolulu
Department of Environmental Services, Refuse Division

Social Media

  • Instagram: @HNL.ENV
  • Facebook: @HNL.ENV1
  • Twitter X: @HNL_ENV

Contact

  • Online: honolulu.gov/env/grow
  • Hotline: (808) 768-3200
  • Email: opala@honolulu.gov
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