KOLOA — Koloa resident Danny Lopez has used recycling as a source of supplemental income for over five years.
Lopez, who typically works as a golf attendant at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course, depends on the income generated from going to one of the island’s four recycling locations left open after Reynolds Recycling in Lihu‘e temporarily closed because of concerns related to the COVID-19 epidemic, according to the county website.
For Lopez, the $148 payout he gets for saving plastic bottles and cans is worth it.
“It’s perfect, and I don’t have to go into my savings or anything,” Lopez said. “I am a cheap guy, and I don’t spend much, so this helps with gas, buying eggs, milk and stuff like that.”
The Koloa location is one of four spots on the island dedicated to recycling as a Hi5 beverage-container-redemption site, which is independently owned by James Higgenbotham, contracted by the county, and still accepting plastic and glass bottles and aluminum cans during this COVID-19 pandemic.
The four locations include Kilauea at 5-2723 Kuhio Hwy. (behind the Anaina Hou Community Park), open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m; Kapa‘a at 962 Kipuhi Way (past the Gather FCU in the Arzadon Industrial Center), open Tuesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Koloa at 2810 Po‘ipu Rd. (next to the Koloa fire station), open Thursday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Kekaha, on Kekaha Road across from the old Kekaha Sugar Company mill, open on Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kaua‘i Community Recycling Service is up and running, and his HI5 redemption staff is busy, according to Higgenbotham.
Last year, the company dispersed an estimated $1.5 million, with over 25 million containers collected, allowing them to keep those containers out of the Kekaka landfill.
“During these hard times, any money is good money,” Higgenbotham said. “Last year, we pumped money into the economy.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, it has affected Higgenbotham’s bottom line, he said.
“A lot of our materials that are recycled come from the tourists,” Higgenbotham said. “A lot of the people that would recycle it would be locals, but it would be the tourists that consumed it. There has been a huge drop-off in the number of customers bringing in mostly smaller loads.”
Koloa resident Nathaniel Jacobsmeyer has been coming to the Koloa location for a couple of years now.
Jacobsmeyer, who was laid off from his position working at The Beach House restaurant, is now using his recyclables to generate supplementary income.
“It’s nice to have a few extra bucks,” Jacobsmeyer said.
Higinbotham will continue to operate his company until it is deemed unsafe for employees or customers.
“Right now, people need a way to supplement their income, and recycling is one of the ways to do it,” Higgenbotham said. “People are hungry for money right now, and there are a lot of the recyclers on this island that know that.”
County Department of Public Works Acting Solid Waste Chief Allison Fraley said it’s essential for recycling centers to be open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is critical for recycling activities to continue during COVID-19 because these programs divert 40% of the waste from the landfill,” Fraley said.
In a written statement, Fraley said the recycling centers follow a strict protocol.
“HI-5 redemption centers operated by Kaua‘i Community Recycling Services have voluntarily implemented social distancing when dealing with customers who stay inside their vehicles when they visit redemption centers,” Fraley said. “The Kaua‘i Recycles drop bins are not staffed. Residents using the containers should wear masks and practice social distancing while recycling, and wash their hands immediately afterward.”
*This article has been edited to reflect accuracy.
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Jason Blasco, sports reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
