Blog
Don’t Let Rubbish Get Carried Away
Wind can carry lightweight rubbish far from where it started. Once caught by a gust, wrappers, plastic bags, bottles, and other items can travel through streets and neighborhoods, enter storm drains and waterways, and eventually reach the ocean.
Learning About Trash: Science Projects, Lessons Plans, and More
Trash is an everyday part of our life, from the trash cans in our homes, to the litter on our streets and in storm drains and the landfills in our communities. Being aware of our ʻōpala (trash) is an important part of environmental stewardship and that awareness starts with education.
Get Your Service Hours with Adopt-A-Highway
Are you a student who wants to volunteer or needs volunteer hours? Whether for personal motivations, community service requirements for high school or college, a school project, an extracurricular activity, or even for college applications, you can earn service hours with the Adopt-A-Highway program!
Plastic Free July and the Hidden Problem of Microplastics
Plastic pollution is a well-known, widespread environmental concern. To help combat plastic pollution, communities around the world participate in the annual Plastic Free July movement. Plastic Free July encourages individuals and communities to reduce plastic waste through simple, everyday choices to enjoy cleaner streets, communities, and oceans.
Drop Off Done Right
Heading to a convenience center or a transfer station? A little preparation can make your trip smoother, safer, and more efficient for everyone.
Securing Your Load to Protect Our Waters
Every day, debris falls from vehicles onto our roadways. Here in Hawaiʻi, everything that lands on our roads can quickly get swept into storm drains, and streams, eventually making its way into the ocean.
A Greener Way to Wrap Up the Holidays
Once the presents are opened, a lot of wrapping paper and ribbons end up in the trash.
Eco-Friendly Holiday Decor with Local Style
Bring more aloha to the season with simple, sustainable decor. By reusing materials around your home and reducing waste, you can minimize the amount of trash and debris that end up in dumpsters, landfills, or even in our storm drains and ocean.
How to Use Holiday Leftovers
As we head into the holiday season, this is a reminder to minimize food waste by making the most of your leftovers!
Explore Storm Water with Fun Science and Engineering Projects
Storm water is rainwater runoff that doesn’t soak into the ground – it flows over streets and sidewalks and eventually makes its way into the nearest stream, canal, or ocean.
Clear The Road By Securing Your Load
Did you know that the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has removed an estimated 5,234 cubic yards of trash from unsecured vehicle loads since 2021? That’s equal to around 2,617 truck beds full of trash and litter!
Celebrate National Composting Day 2025
Each year, National Composting Day is observed on May 29 to raise awareness and promote sustainable composting practices.
6 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Halloween
Halloween is an exciting holiday for people of all ages, filled with costumes, pumpkins, candy, and frights. Ghosts, goblins, witches and warlocks can be spooky, but here are some statistics that are even scarier:
Quilting with Recycled Fabrics
Do you have old fabrics and t-shirts laying around? Don’t throw them out! Use them to create a simple quilt filled with memories.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Wrapping Paper
Did you know the majority of wrapping paper cannot be recycled? Most of the wrapping paper sold in stores today contains non-paper additives including gold or silver coloring, glitter and plastics.
DIY Flowers for Valentine’s Day
Trying to find the perfect gift for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day? We’ve got the perfect solution: a homemade and long-lasting bouquet made from recycled materials.
DIY Cookie Cutters
Are you planning some holiday baking? If cookie making is on your holiday season checklist, try creating your own cookie cutters with recycled soda cans instead of buying new ones made of plastic.
Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving
As we approach Thanksgiving, it is important to remember that the holiday season, while joyful, often results in a significant increase in household waste.
Bringing New Life to Old Crayons
You can give crayons a second life with a simple, fun craft project that’s perfect for keiki and adults alike! This creative activity not only helps keep waste out of our landfills but also teaches the value of reusing materials in a colorful, hands-on way.
DIY Candles from Leftover Wax
Looking to brighten your space up this summer? Give those old candles around your home a second life by turning them into fun, fresh creations!
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Wrapping Paper
To lessen the environmental impacts of our holiday celebrations and to make Hawaii Trash Free, consider the following eco-friendly and recyclable alternatives to traditional wrapping paper.
DIY Flowers for Valentine’s Day
Trying to find the perfect gift for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day? We’ve got the perfect solution: a homemade and long-lasting bouquet made from recycled materials.
DIY T-Shirt Rug
Looking to get rid of old t-shirts? Rather than tossing them out, try turning them into something fun and functional!
Eco-Friendly Lei
Lei can be made from a variety of materials, including recycled ones!
Drop Off Done Right
Heading to a convenience center or a transfer station? A little preparation can make your trip smoother, safer, and more efficient for everyone.
Securing Your Load to Protect Our Waters
Every day, debris falls from vehicles onto our roadways. Here in Hawaiʻi, everything that lands on our roads can quickly get swept into storm drains, and streams, eventually making its way into the ocean.
Traveling with Trash
Our parks and beaches are special places where families unite, keiki play, and communities connect with nature. We bring meals, snacks, and toys – everything needed for a fun day outdoors.
How To: Make Your Own Reusable Bags
Have you found extra fabric laying around after trying DIY face masks? With beach season upon us, a great way to save the environment and your budget is to bring your own snacks in a reusable container. Enjoy making these DIY reusable bags to carry light snacks with you wherever you go.
Traveling with Trash: Trick-or-Treat Edition
Spooky season is here, along with all the fun fall traditions like haunted houses, carving pumpkins, costume contests, and trick-or-treating. While we are busy enjoying
Not All Trash is Created Equal
When it comes to protecting Hawaiʻi’s waterways and marine life, understanding what we throw away – and how it affects the environment – is an important first step.