Lahaina Sunset Rotary Seeks Support for Recycling Program

Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset photo.

The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset is asking the public for support for West Maui’s Third Saturday Recycling events, which have been conducted every month at Lahaina Cannery Mall since July 2015.

In that timespan, an average of 150 West Maui residents have delivered recyclable materials to the club’s four-hour event.

That’s one drop-off every 96 seconds. Often, the club said in a press release, there is a line of vehicles at the registration point.

Last year Councilmember Elle Cochran and Council Chair Mike White recommended adding funds to the county budget to continue the monthly recycling program. The approved county funds were directed to Mālama Maui Nui, a nonprofit organization, to pay the costs of hauling recycling bins to and from Lahaina Cannery Mall.

The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset became a co-sponsor to develop and fund the marketing program, and to provide volunteers for the events.

“The Third Saturday Recycling program is an excellent example of a partnership to meet community needs,” said May. “In addition to the previously mentioned partners, we’ve had the important support of 5A Rent-A-Space, the other West Maui Rotary clubs and Lahaina Cannery Mall.”

To continue the Third Saturday Recycling program next budget year, Mālama Maui Nui has requested county funds under its Keep Maui Beautiful Program.

“Nine months into the project and the results are remarkable,” said Community Service Chair Liz May. “Over 55,000 pounds of scrap metal, 499 major appliances including refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers and 1,271 electronic devices have been collected and recycled. Nearly 200 vehicle tires, over 3,300 household and vehicle batteries, and more than 19, 450 pounds of glass, plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard will not end up in the county landfill, or as many residents have told us, left on the county’s back roads.”

“The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset urges community members to contact the council and voice their support for this request,” said club President Sandy Schneider. “Third Saturday Recycling is making a difference in West Maui. Let’s make sure it continues to do so in 2017.”

The next “Go Green Third Saturday Recycling” event will be held May 21 from 8 a.m. to noon at Lahaina Cannery Mall. All recyclables qualify for drop off except oversized tires and household goods. There is a $5 charge for each tire; all other items are accepted without charge. No fees are paid to residents for recyclables delivered to the event.

“Go Green Third Saturday Recycling” is the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset’s centennial project to mark 100 years of Rotary in Hawai‘i. By encouraging honor and respect for the land, it celebrates Rotary’s commitment to serve the people of the state.

For more information or to volunteer, contact May at 5A Rent-A-Space at 669-5200.

Able volunteers are needed to assist in handling large drop-offs.