AHUKINI — People welcomed The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center’s return to the Kaua‘i Resource Center (KRC) in Ahukini on Friday.
Despite the inclement weather generated by the passage of a Kona low pressure system passing through the state, cars lined the unloading area to beyond the secured entry area at KRC located adjacent to the Reynold’s HI5 recycling center and the Ahukini refuse transfer station.
“This has been nonstop since we opened,” said David Chung of the ARC team. “We’ve already processed more than 170 cars and it’s not even midday.”
The ARC crew off-loaded car after car of merchandise in the pittering rain, filling containers as they processed the line of vehicles.
“We ordered four of the High Top containers for this trip,” Chung said. “And we’re closing the doors on the fourth container.”
Each of the containers hold in the excess of 7,000 pounds, according to the county’s Solid Waste office. This means that nearly 30,000 pounds of material being diverted from the landfill.
Items brought in by contributors — individuals and businesses — to the monthly ARC donation event include unwanted or unneeded items for reuse, including clothing, small furniture, children’s toys, books and shoes.
Under the guidelines of the donation event, clothing and textiles do not need to be in good condition. Torn or stained clothing is allowed.
The line of contributors were good about not including items for the ARC donation event that are not allowed, including ewaste, chemicals, appliances or broken items.
Due to health and safety concerns because of the heavy equipment in the area, and to reduce the chance of injury, motorists were asked to remain in their vehicles while the ARC crew unloaded the contributions.
“We’ll be back in January,” Chung said. “I have a business event to attend, but we’re coming back. I still have to check on when the business event is, but we’ll let the county know what dates we’ll be here.”
Contributors to the ARC monthly donation event are encouraged to check with the local thrift stores in their area to see if the stores are capable of taking donations before bringing the items to the collection that usually takes place on a Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kaua‘i Resource Center.
The ARC also offers pick up services to the thrift stores and businesses, who should call 808-241-4336 to arrange for new service.
Individuals who want home pick up service can call the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 808-335-6105.
For information, visit the county’s website at www.kauai.gov/recycling or www.kauai.gov/reuse.
