Upcountry Sustainability Hosts Garbage on Maui Talk

Central Maui trash pile. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

Upcountry Sustainability presents a discussion tonight entitled: “Garbage on Maui – Let’s Talk Trash.” Representatives from local recycling companies will lead the discussion on what is currently happening on Maui to divert waste from landfills. Concerns surrounding the County’s new waste-to-energy project may also be shared.

Presenters include: Kelly King, vice president of Pacific Biodiesel Technologies; Brittany Smart, marketing and public affairs employee at Maui EKO Systems; and Tom Reed, president and majority owner of  Aloha Recycling.

King will clarify the benefits the county has realized through it’s current recycling model. Pacific Biodiesel pioneered the model of using waste cooking oils as biodiesel feedstock, and are the oldest biodiesel company in America.  Since its inception in 1995, the company has reportedly kept more than 21 million gallons of fats, oils, and grease out of Maui’s landfills. They .

Smart will focus on compost and organics recycling.  Established in 1995, EKO is a landfill diversion program, and currently operates the county’s green waste recycling and co-composting facility.

Reed will address what happens to material that is recycled, and the current challenges faced by recycling processors. The company was formed in 1992, and operates several Certified Redemption Centers as well as a full service Material Recovery Facility.

This event is free and open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. at the Pukalani Community Center’s pool room annex.