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 is launching pilot G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) to INCLUDE THE FOOD in the green compost cart. If you live in Waipahu, Nānākuli, Hawaiʻi Kai, Mililani, Kailua, or Kalihi, and you currently receive City and County of Honolulu automated curbside collection services, you can start adding food scraps and wasted food to your green compost cart on April 1, 2026! In the future, the City will expand this program islandwide.

Upcoming G.R.O.W. Events

Graphic promoting G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) events for March 2026. Decorative images of toast and green leaves appear at the top, with food scraps such as pineapple, shrimp, eggshells, avocado, toast, leaves, and sliced root vegetables displayed across the middle. Two neighborhood board meetings are listed: Tuesday, 3/17 at 7 P.M. – Nānākuli Neighborhood Board Meeting at Nānākuli Public Library, 89-070 Farrington Hwy, Waiʻanae, HI 96792. Wednesday, 3/18 at 7 P.M. – Kalihi–Pālama Neighborhood Board Meeting at Kalihi Waena Elementary School, 1240 Gulick Ave, Honolulu, HI 96819.
Graphic promoting G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) events for March 2026 for automated collection (3-cart) residents only. Decorative images of shrimp and pineapple appear at the top. Three public workshops are listed: Thursday, 3/19 at 7 P.M. – G.R.O.W. Public Workshop – Nānākuli at Nānāikapono Elementary School Cafeteria, 89-153 Manō Ave, Waiʻanae, HI 96792. Friday, 3/20 at 7 P.M. – G.R.O.W. Public Workshop – Waipahu at Waipahu Elementary School Cafeteria, 94-465 Waipahu St, Waipahu, HI 96797. Friday, 3/27 at 7 P.M. – G.R.O.W. Public Workshop – Kailua at Kailua Elementary School Cafeteria, 315 Kūʻulei Rd, Kailua, HI 96734.
Graphic showing the G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) program schedule for April 2026. On April 1, the program goes live and residents in Hawaiʻi Kai, Kailua, Mililani, Nānākuli, Kalihi, and Waipahu can begin adding food scraps to their green carts. Upcoming events include a Kailua Neighborhood Board presentation on April 2 at Kailua District Park at 7 p.m., and a Waiʻanae Neighborhood Board presentation on April 7 at Waiʻanae Public Library at 6:30 p.m.

Compost Scraps and Wasted Food to Reduce Waste

Food scraps account for about 60,000 tons of garbage in Oʻahu in a year. Composting food scraps reduces waste and creates nutrient-rich fertilizer.

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 kitchen container 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

Collection locations

Residents in Waipahu, Nānākuli, Hawaiʻi Kai, Mililani, Kailua,
and Kalihi that currently receive City and County of Honolulu automated curbside collection services, can start adding food scraps and wasted food to the green compost cart on April 1, 2026! In the future, the City will expand this program islandwide.

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

4 Videos

Informational materials

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

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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