City expands food waste composting program islandwide beginning October 1st
HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) is expanding its G.R.O.W. (Green Recycling Organic Waste) program across Oʻahu beginning October 1, 2026, allowing all residents with three-cart automated curbside collection to place food scraps and wasted food in their green compost carts along with green waste.
The program provides residents with a simple way to reduce the amount of waste sent through Oʻahu’s solid waste system while supporting a more sustainable, circular approach to waste management.
“G.R.O.W. could help us reduce Oʻahu’s waste stream by an astonishing 20%,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Putting our food scraps and leftovers in our green carts is a simple step that we can all take to make a real and meaningful difference. G.R.O.W. is an innovative program that just makes sense, and we are thrilled that our creative team at ENV is bringing this wonderful idea to life.”
“Every pound of food scraps you include in your green compost cart is a pound that doesn’t end up in our landfill,” ENV Deputy Director Daniel Brieck said. “Everything we compost instead of sending to H-POWER is a win because food scraps and wet materials rob energy from the burn process. Keeping them out of the waste stream helps H-POWER run more efficiently, and that benefits all of us.”
ENV launched the G.R.O.W. pilot program in April in six communities: Kailua, Hawaiʻi Kai, Mililani, Nānākuli, Waipahu and Kalihi. During the pilot, ENV tested different approaches to encourage participation and educate residents about what belongs in the green cart.
“The results from our pilot phase have been promising,” ENV Refuse Chief Josh Nagashima said. “Our recycling teams have been testing different methods to encourage participation and tracking that participation by tipping lids in the pilot areas. We’ve seen about 15% participation and a significant reduction in contamination so far, which is a good start. Now we’re excited to take G.R.O.W. islandwide and get more households involved so we can maximize the impact the program can have.”
Food scraps and green waste collected through the program are processed into compost by Hawaiian Earth Recycling (HER).
“We are so proud to be partnering with the city on the G.R.O.W. program,” HER Vice President Marvin Min said. “Our facility transforms the food scraps and green waste in the green carts into nutrient-rich compost through a controlled composting process. It’s rewarding to be a part of that.”
What Residents Need to Know
ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS:
· Fruits
· Vegetables
· Meat, fish, and bones
· Coffee grounds
· Eggs and eggshells
· Rice, bread
· Leftovers/spoiled foods
· If it GROWS, it goes
DO NOT INCLUDE:
· Plastic bags or plastic of any kind
· Packaging or wrappers
· Compostable or biodegradable bags, plates, utensils
· Glass or metal
· Liquids, oils, grease
· Pet waste
· Household trash or hazardous materials
FOOD GOES IN LOOSE
Food must be put in the green compost cart loose; no bags allowed
HOW TO REDUCE ODOR & MESSY CARTS:
· Keep food waste in a bag or container in the freezer until the night before the scheduled green cart pickup
· Make sure there is green waste in the cart & bury the food waste in the green waste
· Keep the green cart lid closed
· Sprinkling baking soda or coffee grounds helps reduce odors
“The success of this program starts with each one of us,” said ENV Director Roger Babcock. “When we include the food and keep plastics out, we help create a more sustainable future for Oʻahu.”
For more information about the GROW, go to honolulu.gov/env/grow
About the Department of Environmental Services
The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) manages wastewater and solid waste systems that serve the island of Oʻahu, which include 2,100 miles of sewer lines, 72 wastewater pump stations, nine wastewater treatment plants, three solid waste transfer stations, seven refuse and recycling convenience centers, seven solid waste collection base yards, one active landfill, and one waste-to-energy facility (H-POWER). ENV is dedicated to protecting public health, preserving the environment, and ensuring the sustainable management of Honolulu’s essential infrastructure through innovation, efficiency, and community partnership.
Department of Environmental Services
City and County of Honolulu
YouTube: @CCHNL_ENV
Instagram: @hnl.env
Facebook: HNL.ENV1
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