Waste Management - Keeping Hawaii Clean

Local Community Benefits

Waste Management of Hawaii has supported Mayor Hannemann and the City and County of Honolulu in the Mayor's initiative to provide funding to the Waianae coastal neighborhoods situated near the landfill. The City has provided $1.5 million in grants to 19 nonprofit organizations and an additional $1 million in supplemental park improvements. This funding has helped to beautify the city and has provided much-needed assistance to community organizations.

Community Oversight Advisory Committee

In 2006, the City established an Oversight Advisory Committee to provide a forum for community members to share concerns and questions about the operation of Waimanalo Gulch Landfill with Waste Management of Hawaii. The goal of this committee is to promote cooperation between the landfill and the community to ensure that the landfill is operated in a manner sensitive to our mutual concerns. The group meets on a quarterly basis.

Mayor Hanemann's Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Waste Management of Hawaii serves on Mayor Hannemann's Solid Waste Advisory Committee that advises the Mayor on refuse- and recycling-related matters and provides input into the Solid Waste Master Plan.

Preserving the Environment

Every year, Waste Management of Hawaii works with City and County agencies and local nonprofit organizations to facilitate major area cleanup projects. It has been integral to the success of "Adopt a Stream" and "Adopt a Block" programs, as well as the annual "Get the Drift and Bag It" cleanup that is cosponsored by concerned community groups. In 2007, Waste Management of Hawaii partnered with Nani 'O Waianae, the Keep America Beautiful affiliate on Oahu, to sponsor a series of community cleanups.

Helping to Clean Up Oahu

Waste Management of Hawaii has helped remove more than 20 tons of trash from Oahu's beaches, parks and streets in the past two years.

In last year's "Get the Drift and Bag It" cleanup, we supported the collection and disposal of 306 bags of trash and 26 burned-out cars that had been abandoned on the beach.

We supported the stenciling of 200 storm drains on the island with the anti-dumping message "Dump No Waste, Take Care of Our Ocean."

Landfill Education

A key aspect of our mission is to educate students and other residents about the landfill and about the geographic realities of waste disposal in Hawaii. In 2006, more than 1,600 people, including grade school and college students, professors, researchers, as well as local residents and government leaders toured and studied the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill. To date in 2007, more than 700 adults and school children have visited the landfill. In addition, a pre-tour school visit was added in 2007 to discuss the technical and science-based aspects of the facility so that students better understand site operations. It also serves to create a stronger affinity with the work being done to help the community manage its solid waste needs.

Promoting Recycling

Waste Management, through its Recycle America subsidiary, is the largest recycler in North America. It is a strong promoter of recycling through their educational work with children and groups.

Repsonsible Stewardship

As a community partner, Waste Management of Hawaii is committed to building strong partnerships with local schools, community and environmental groups, and business organizations. In the past few years, it has given monetary contributions and sponsorships to the following organizations:

Aloha Festivals
American Diabetes Association Walk
Child and Family Services
Ewa Beach Adopt-a-Block
Get the Drift and Bag It Cleanup
Hawaii Island United Way
Health Center
Kapolei City Lights
Kapolei Rotary's Taste of Kapolei
Kekaha Business Association

Kekaka Elementary School
Kilohana Canoe Club
Leeward Community College
MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Parker Schools
Taste of the Stars
The Nature Conservancy
U.S. VETS Hawaii
Waianae Coast Comprehensive
West Hawaii Exploration Academy