Hawaii Recycling Center Recognized by SWANA

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has awarded the Solid Waste Division of the County of Hawaii’s Department of Environmental Management with the bronze award for its Pahoa Recycling & Transfer Station.

SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes solid waste programs and facilities that advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound solid waste management.

The newly remodeled Pahoa Recycling & Transfer Station was opened in June 2011 after $3.9 million in renovations. It features solar power and a catchment water system, along with alcoves to accept various separated materials.

Terin Gloor, chief of the county’s solid waste division, says the design and construction of the Pahoa facility is a true partnership between the Department of Environmental Management, two Puna council representatives and the community.

“During project development one our primary considerations was, ‘How can the design influence the behavior of the community?’” Gloor says. “We wanted to make sure that the facility would motivate increased recycling, promote green construction and inspire civic pride. To accomplish these goals we built a facility that reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

In addition to the design of the facility, recycled materials were used in its construction, including concrete from construction demolition sites that was used in both construction and the landscaping of the site.

Recycled and shredded tires were also integrated into the landscape design, along with crushed, recycled glass. It is also designed for modular expansion.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi says the Pahoa Recycling & Transfer Station will be used as a model as the county continues to upgrade its transfer stations across the island.

“It demonstrates efficient, effective, and innovative design,” Kenoi says. “It also fosters essential practices in our quest to reduce the amount of solid waste we generate.”

This year’s SWANA awards honor 41 programs and facilities in 14 different categories.