Welcome to Island Wide Recycling & Reuse Centers!

Kea`au Recycling & Reuse Center (KRRC)

KRRC was envisioned in 2001 to be operated as a low-budget demonstration facility providing recycling & reuse opportunities for the residents of Puna. It is a 365 day-a-year operation with a paid project manager and part-time staff supported by a volunteer staff of community service minded individuals. 

Why KRRC?

Mayor Harry Kim’s #1 publicly stated pre-election goal: Solve OUR landfill crisis!

Mayor Kim invited Barbara Bell, former Executive Director of Recycle Hawai`I, to head the County’s newly formed Environmental Management Department in 2001. Recycle Hawai`i responded to a request for proposal from Director Barbara Bell and the County was awarded an EPA grant to set up a cost-effective demonstration pilot recycling, reuse facility. Hawaii Island Economic Development Board & Recycle Hawai`i delivered the program as the Kea`au Recycling & Reuse Center (KRRC) which opened March 29, 2003.

Then Mayor Harry Kim, Hawai`i County Recycling Coordinator Eileen O'Hora-Weir and Hawai`i County Director of Environmental Management Barbara Bell join local supporters to celebrate the dedication ceremonies for the grand opening of the KRRC facility in March, 2003.  

With funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), KRRC far exceeded its goal of collecting recyclable materials. With exceptionally positive response from the community in East Hawai`i, KRRC funding was taken over by the County of Hawai`i. Recycle Hawai`i, under a contract with the County of Hawai`i, manages operations. KRRC serves as a model for replicating recycling and reuse centers around the island. Recycle Hawai`i now operates three new Recycling and Reuse Centers at transfer stations at Keauhou, Hawi and Waimea.

KRRC continues to collect and remix old latex paint for sale to the public. In this way our community neighbors can buy inexpensive paint and help keep it out of our landfill.

In 2008 we began working with a number of island businesses collecting used materials from renovated buildings and new construction sites. We continue to expand our stock of
C & D (Construction & Demolition) materials and now have reused building supplies available to the public.

We are pleased to share with you that from July through December 2009, approximately 200,000 lbs. of material was diverted from the landfill through our reuse programs at KRRC.

Our programs at KRRC continue to grow and our trained staff of seven is there to serve the East Hawai`I community every day of the week. We thank you for the support you have given us since our operation began in 2003.

To learn more about Recycle Hawai`i's island wide Recycling and Reuse Centers choose a link below.

Kea`au Recycling & Reuse Center (KRRC)

Waimea Recycling & Reuse Center (WRRC)