News Release:

Hawaii Energy and County of Hawaii Announce “Rid-a-Fridge” Community Recycling Drive for Hawaii Island Residents

Event is scheduled for Saturday, August 24 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Keaʻau Middle School

Hawaii Energy, the state’s energy conservation program, in partnership with the County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management, has announced a recycling drive for old refrigerators and freezers for Hawaii Island residents. On Saturday, August 24, 2024, Hawaii Island residents in the Puna area can recycle any old, working refrigerator or freezer and receive $100 per unit. The event will be held at Keaʻau Middle School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Hawaii Energy’s Rid-A-Fridge program is a convenient way for residents to recycle their old, energy-consuming refrigerators and freezers which not only helps them save on their monthly electric bills, but also prevents these appliances from filling up landfills,” said Caroline Carl, executive director, Hawaii Energy. “We’re pleased to partner with the County of Hawaii’s Department of Environmental Management for this program to make it easier for participants to properly recycle their appliances.”

Residents must apply in advance, and applications are available on a first come, first served basis. The drive is open to Hawaii Island residents of the following zip codes: 96749, 96778, and 96771. Residents must download the application form on the County of Hawaii website and email the completed form to denise.e.nakamura@leidos.com by August 20, 2024. If submitting by snail mail, the deadline to mail is August 18, 2024.

“Hawai‘i Energy’s Rid-A-Fridge program not only helps tackle public dumping, but empowers our families to reinvest in energy efficiency on their own terms,” said Alex White, recycling specialist with the County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management.

Since 2010, Hawaii Energy has recycled more than 6,000 units through its Rid-A-Fridge program across Hawaii Island, Maui County and Oahu.

For more information about the upcoming Rid-A-Fridge recycling drive and to download the required application form, visit https://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/appliances/