Environmental Protection & Sustainability

Overview

EP&S was established in 2016 within the Department of Environmental Management to guide and fund environmental initiatives around natural resource protection, sustainability, conservation, and restoration. The Division fosters partnerships with government agencies and community leaders to enforce environmental legislation and support innovative programming, community-based initiatives, and public education. EP&S is committed to building a sustainable community with Mālama ʻĀina as its guiding principle.

EP&S houses the following sections:

Recycling
The Recycling Section focuses on a range of landfill diversion and Zero Waste services and programming such as Recycling Drop Box Centers, Plastic Free Maui County, BYO Bag, and HI5 for redeemable beverage containers.
The section also runs the Recycling Grants Program and the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
Abandoned Vehicles, Metals, & Litter Control (AVM)
AVM focuses on landfill diversion programming on the islands of Maui, Moloka‘i and Lānaʻi through its Abandoned Vehicles and Junk Vehicle Disposal Program. AVM also manages the Lānaʻi and Hana Metals Recycling Event.
Environmental Programming
The newly established Environmental Programming Section focuses on a wider set of environmental issues facing Maui County. EPS is developing initiatives such as Mineral Only Sunscreen Maui County and the Green Grants Program.

News & Events

EP&S launches New "Tow and Scrap" Vehicle Disposal Program

Maui Island residents can now take advantage of the new Maui County Tow and Scrap Pilot Program to have their qualifying unwanted vehicles towed and scrapped at no cost. For more information, please visit:

https://mauicounty.gov/Tow-and-Scrap

EP&S Speaker Series travels to Moloka‘i on July 10, 2023

Join us on July 10, 2023 for the second event of EP&S's speaker series, "Sustainability Together: Community-led Regenerative Action." Weʻre bringing the conversation to the Molokaʻi Community Health Center where weʻll delve into "Community-Designed Renewable Energy," highlighting the power and potential of grassroots initiatives in reshaping our energy landscape.

Can’t make it in person?
Watch on Akakū channel 54 from 5:30 pm.
Sustainability Together: Community-led Regenerative Action Flyer July 10
July 10 Video Recording

Special assistance: If you require an auxiliary aid or service or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact EP&S no later than three (3) business days prior to the scheduled event by calling 808–270–7631 or by emailing EPS Division

EP&S launches New Speaker Series on April 6, 2023

Join us on April 6, 2023 for the launch of our new speaker series, "Sustainability Together: Community-led Regenerative Action," at the Maui Ocean Center Sphere. Dive into our first talk, "Nature-based Solutions for Coastal Erosion" to engage with experts and community leaders and to learn about the tools and solutions local communities have used to enhance coastal resilience.

Can’t make it in person?
Register to join us on Zoom
Watch on Akaku Red Channel 54 from 5:30 pm
Sustainability Together: Community-led Regenerative Action Flyer April 6
April 6 Video Recording

Haiku HI-5 Redemption Center Temporarily Closed; County Recycling Dropboxes Are Still Open

Due to staffing shortages, the privately-operated HI-5 Redemption Center at the Haiku Recycling Center is temporarily closed (as of October 11, 2022). Other HI-5 Redemption at other locations, including Makawao, UHMC, and Kihei, may also be subject to unscheduled temporary closures due to unforeseen labor issues.

Please call Aloha Recycling at (808) 871-8544 for up-to-date information on the status of operations at their HI-5 redemption sites.

County Recycling Centers for recycling of cardboard, newspaper, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and bi-metal cans, and #1 and #2 bottles are still open daily 7AM - 7PM in Haiku, Makawao, UHMC, Kihei, Hana, Olowalu, Lahainaluna Road (smokestack), Central Maui Landfill, and Molokai Naiwa Landfill.

Disposable bodyboard ban goes into effect August 9, 2022

A new law banning the sale, rental, or distribution of polystyrene bodyboards goes into effect August 9, 2022.

More information about the law and the harmful environmental effects of polystyrene foam

News report from KITV-4 on Maui County's Mineral Only sunscreen law:

E-Cycling Maui has moved.

E-Cycling Maui has moved to their new ReThink Recycling Center located at 301 Hansen Road in Puunene. The old location at 901 Lower Main St. in Wailuku closed on July 30, 2022. See the News Flyer for more details.

E-Cycling News Flyer

Pay Abandoned Vehicle Expenses Online

New! You can now pay the outstanding balance from an Abandoned Vehicles “Demand for Payment” letter online. Pay fees for abandoned vehicles taken into custody and disposed of by the County of Maui.

www.mauicounty.gov/avm