Teens-On-Call and Teenforce Providing Recycle Baskets at Maui Fair

Recycling at the Maui Fair. Image by: Maui Now.

Students from the Teens-On Call and Teenforce programs on Maui will be providing grounds services at the 93rd Maui Fair.

The group will be providing recycling baskets and 55-gallon barrels decorated with environmental artwork, and painted by area students. The baskets and barrels will be placed and maintained throughout the fairgrounds during the four-day event.

“Our fair-going families are very good about placing their rubbish and recyclables into the correct barrel or basket,” said program crew leaders Maluhia Riley and Ikaika Kaina in a press release announcement. The Teens-On-Call Recycle Program also provides these and other services for other special events around Maui such as Wailuku First Fridays, cultural festivals and outdoor concerts.

“Reduce – Reuse – Recycle” has become a popular practice for people aware of the growing need to reduce landfill volume while converting ‘trash to cash’ or re-purposing of materials. Teens-On-Call has operated a longtime ‘visitor-industry recycling program’ whereby adult supervisors conduct ‘elite dumpster mining operations’ where large amounts of recyclables end-up from departing hotel visitors,” said recycling advocate Brian McCafferty.

Teenforce Building Trades trainer, Keoki Raymond said, “The students receive many benefits from working on the recycling skills work training programs. Not only do they save lumber, they also receive an educational stipend and a free meal while working on all projects.”

According to the Teens-On-Call website, the program was formed to assist in the “development of an honest work ethic among interested students via paid work skills training projects / assignments which involve task completion, improved focus, teamwork, vocational skills, and encourage good character values.”

Since 1994, Teens-On-Call has reportedly provided multiple assignments to on average 120 students per year for a total of 2,400 students total.

Maui Fair representatives thanked the student groups and the MCCC work line for coming to the fairgrounds each midnight to clean the entire site for the next day’s activities.