Blog

DIY Papale
Hats are great for bad hair days, but not for the environment. Traditional methods often involve harmful processes and materials, from the use of virgin synthetic materials like polyester and nylon to the toxic waste generated in dyeing and finishing processes.

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.

Clothes and the Environment
People in the U.S. throw out more than 34 billion pounds of clothes every year, making textiles one of the largest contributors to our landfills.

National Beach Day: Investing in the Future of Our Coastlines
National Beach Day (August 30) is a celebration that reminds us of the beauty and importance of our coastlines.

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.

Every Day Is Earth Day!
Join us in celebrating the beauty of our planet this Earth Day, while learning new ways to go green all 365 days of the year!

Celebrate Global Recycling Day Every Day
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time!

Where Do Our Recyclables Go?
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time!

Teaching Our Keiki Sustainability
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time!

Hawai’i’s Plastic Policies
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time!

Updated Trash Free Hawaiʻi Website
The Trash Free Hawaiʻi website has a new look!

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!

DIY Reuse Gifts
Gift giving is a meaningful way to show love, appreciation, and connection. A thoughtful gift brings joy to both the giver and the receiver. At the same time, many gifts and their wrappings end up in landfills or as roadside litter that clogs our storm drains and pollutes our ocean.

How to Track Your Trash Production
Understanding how much trash we generate, and how we can reduce it, helps protect our land and oceans for future generations.

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.

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!

Minimizing Trash During Your Summer Travels
Summer is the season for beach days, park visits, hikes, and getaways – but all that activity can generate a surprising amount of waste.

Say No to Plastic in 2020
The new year and a new decade have brought with it some exciting changes. A new ban on plastics on Oahu is now in effect, prohibiting Oahu retailers from distributing plastic bags to shoppers immediately. By 2021, basically all plastic utensils will be banned, as well as plastic containers from restaurants by 2022.