LIHU‘E — People could not wait for the Kaua‘i Resource Center to reopen Monday morning.
“We already had people depositing material for The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center on the cart before we opened,” said Shantelle Rego, county Department of Public Works Solid Waste project manager, whose office is inside the KRC.
The county, including Mayor Derek Kawakami, Acting County Engineer Troy Tanigawa, Acting Solid Wast Chief Allison Fraley, Acting Deputy County Engineer Boyd Gayagas, Michael Tressler of DPW and new solid-waste head Dustin Moises hosted a blessing officiated by kahu Jade Waialeale Battad Monday to reopen the KRC main facility that has been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now that more people are vaccinated and there are clear guidelines for safe operations in the pandemic, we are ready to open the doors again and work directly with the public,” said Fraley, who has been working with the county’s solid-waste program since being hired in the Mayor Maryanne Kusaka administration.
Reynolds Recycling, occupying part of the KRC, operates a HI-5 redemption center that remained open during the past year, the sounds of its recycling efforts accompanying the words of congratulations and thank you to the center staff that includes Rego and HI-5 Recycling Specialist Tawna Bensaid.
Moises did the honor of leading the ribbon-cutting as one of his first tasks as the solid-waste head, receiving enthusiastic support from Kawakami, Tanigawa and Tressler.
“We just received our Department of Health permit to accept fluorescent bulbs from local residents,” Rego said.
“This is very exciting news, as there is nowhere else on the island that accepts these items regularly. Previously, residents needing to dispose of fluorescent tubes had to wait on the hazardous-waste collections that take place just twice a year. With the new permits, residents can just bring it here. This includes the compact fluorescent lamps,” she said.
In addition to fluorescent tubes, the KRC will continue to accept alkaline, or dry cell, nickel-metal, lithium batteries, and donations of clothes and other saleable items for The Salvation Army ARC, packing peanuts and bubble-wrap for reuse, and certain other items.
The KRC is also a distribution point for free, Earth Machine home composting bins that are available by appointment only. Residents wishing a bin must call 808-241-4841 to schedule an appointment. Please note that same-day pickup may not be available.
The Kaua‘i Resource Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Services at the KRC are for residents and visitors only. Businesses, government agencies and nonprofits will be directed elsewhere.
• Info: 808-241-4841, or kauai.gov/kauairesourcecenter
