This year, Maui County’s Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division encourages you to learn to make Maui County more sustainable, to “take action” by incorporating sustainable choices into your daily life and to learn to build stronger connections within our community and environment. You can start by determining the highest and best use of our materials and resources.
Here are some ways you can take action:
• Zero waste: Strive for zero waste in your daily life. You can make a difference simply by bringing your own utensil kit, water bottle, coffee mug and bag. You may fix something or donate it instead of sending it to the landfill. Purchase from food hubs and farmers markets, try buying from a refill store and support local businesses by buying local. There is a plethora of everyday items that are made responsibly or of recycled materials.
• Recycle right: We recycled over 2,500 tons (over 5 million pounds) last year from the County Recycling Centers. What is recyclabl in Maui County depends on the global commodity market. It’s very important to recycle only what is accepted since everything else needs to be sorted out. For more information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/recycle.
• Learn more: Hawai’i has a unique and fragile ecosystem that we are all a part of. Check out classes available at UH-MC’s Sustainable Living Institute of Maui at www.sustainablemaui.org.
• Participate in a beach cleanup. Visit handsonmaui.galaxydigital.com/ to participate in a family-friendly beach cleanup in Kihei on April 22. Visit www.sharkastics.org/events.html to participate in a beach cleanup in Waiehu on April 23 or to participate in a hike and cleanup at Makamaka’ole on May 4.
Find out about upcoming volunteer options at www.malamamauinui.org.
We would not be where we are today without the first Earth Day, which was created in 1970 to promote environmental laws on a national scale. Prior to the first Earth Day, there was no legal mechanism in place to protect our enironment. The Environmental Protection Agency was created soon after, which protects people and the environment from significant health risks by ensuring that Americans have clean air, land and water. The Clean Water Act was established in 1972 to prevent pollution in our waterways. The Endangered Species Act followed soon after. Today over 140 countries celebrate Earth Day. That first Earth Day in 1970 has paved the way for municipal sustainability efforts that happen today, like the Maui County plastic bag reduction ordinance in 2011, and more recently, the single-use plastic ban, mineral-only sunscreen law and foam free law (which took effect on Aug. 9).
The county has partnered with hundreds of organizations over the past 30 years to support sustainable initiatives through the Recycling and EP&S Grants Program. This year we are excited to share that the following organizations received a total of $500,000 for the following programs:
• Aloha Recycling received funding for recyclin containers.
• Concrete Collective began a feasibility plan for a plastics to ByBlock Pilot Program.
• Grants Central Station received a cargo van and support for the Share Circle Program.
• Habitat for Humanity received a new forklift for Habitat Maui’s ReStore.
• Hawai’i Association for Marine Education and Research received funding for marine debris cleanups and analysis.
• Ho’ahu Energy Cooperative began a PV Panel Reuse and Storage program.
• Lokahi Pacific received funding for the Teenforce Recycles Program.
• Maui Huliau Foundation received funding for Huliau Green Events & Zero Waste Schools.
• Nature Based Solutions started a Recycling Glass into Sand Pilot Project.
• Ukiu Farms received funding for a Biochar Pilot Project.
• West Maui Green Cycle began a School Reusables Pilot Project to reduce waste in schools.
• Zero Waste Maui Coalition received funding support for zero waste education and outreach.
To find out more about the Environmental Protection and Sustaiability Division, visit www.mauicounty.gov/eps.
Thank you for your efforts to be more sustainable. Every little bit can make a difference. It is our kuleana to malama the ‘aina this Earth Day and every day.
* Cecile Powell is a recycling specialist with the County of Maui Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division in the Deparment of Environmental Management. She has been employed with the county since 2007, starting as a refuse clerk.
