Trash and Recycling

The City and County of Honolulu provides free residential trash and recycling collection to Oahu homeowners, funded through property taxes. The Department of Environmental Services (ENV) manages all curbside collection and disposal services.

Here's everything you need to know to keep your collection running smoothly.

Your Three Carts

Most Oahu homes use an automated three-cart collection system:

Gray Cart — Trash Your regular household garbage. Collected once per week.

Blue Cart — Mixed Recyclables Paper, cardboard, plastics, cans, and glass. Collected every two weeks, alternating with your green cart.

Accepted recyclables include:

• Corrugated cardboard (flattened)

• White and colored office paper (no junk mail, envelopes, or shredded paper)

• Plastic containers #1 and #2

• Aluminum and steel cans

• Glass bottles and jars

Green Cart — Green Waste & Food Scraps Yard trimmings, leaves, branches, and grass clippings. Collected every two weeks, alternating with your blue cart.

Starting April 1, 2026, the City has expanded the green cart program through the G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) initiative, which allows food scraps to be placed in the green cart in selected areas. Check with ENV to see if your neighborhood is included.

Find Your Collection Schedule

Collection days vary by neighborhood and follow one of three patterns:

• Monday (trash) / Thursday (recycling or green waste)

• Tuesday (trash) / Friday (recycling or green waste)

• Wednesday (trash) / Saturday (recycling or green waste)

To find your specific collection schedule by address: Visit opala.hnl.info and enter your home address.

Curbside rules:

• Place carts at the curb by 6:00 AM on your collection day

• Do not put carts out before 6:00 PM the evening before

• Keep at least 5 feet of clearance around carts from cars, mailboxes, and other obstructions

• Place cart handles facing away from the street

Missed Pickup?

If your trash or recycling was not collected on your scheduled day, contact ENV as soon as possible — ideally before 3:00 PM on your collection day.

• Phone: (808) 768-3200

• Online: Visit opala.org to report a missed pickup

• HNL 311: Report through hnl311.com or the HNL 311 mobile app

Note: Recycling days that fall on Christmas Day or New Year's Day are not made up. Hold recyclables until your next scheduled collection.

Bulky Item Pickup

Large items like furniture, mattresses, and appliances can be scheduled for bulky item collection.

How to schedule:

• Online: Visit opala.org (fastest method)

• Phone: Call (808) 768-3200

Bulky item pickup is by appointment only. Items must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled appointment day. Only items registered for the appointment will be collected.

Items that are NOT accepted at curbside:

• Concrete, dirt, rocks, or construction debris

• Liquids or motor oil

• Radioactive materials

• Hazardous household waste

Household Hazardous Waste

Items like paint, batteries, cleaning chemicals, and pesticides require special disposal. ENV hosts Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events throughout the year.

• Drop-off events are scheduled every two months

• Pre-registration is required — there is a 12-item limit per household

• Visit honolulu.gov/env for upcoming event dates and registration

Key Contacts