Kauaʻi County runs four refuse transfer stations, in Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe, Hanapēpē and Hanalei (Princeville), open every day, 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., plus the Kekaha Landfill.
There's no charge for residents at the transfer stations or the landfill. Mattresses and furniture over 3 feet go only to Līhuʻe or Kekaha.
Accepts: Bagged trash only during renovation; scrap metal (6-ft limit), appliances, tires, used motor oil, propane tanks; green waste at the bottom of Kahi Rd.
Won't take: Loose mixed waste (take it to Līhuʻe or Hanalei for now); bulky items over 3 ft.
The Hanalei Refuse Transfer Station (5-3751 Kūhiō Hwy., Princeville) and the Hanapēpē Refuse Transfer Station (4380 Lele Rd.) keep the same 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. daily hours; Hanalei's green waste area is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both take green waste, tires, motor oil and filters, scrap metal, appliances and propane tanks.
Līhuʻe doesn't take appliances or scrap metal: residents take them free to Puhi Metals Recycling, 3951 Puhi Road, Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The county has posted temporary changes at some stations during the Kapaʻa renovation and storm recovery; check the county's landfill and transfer station status page or call (808) 212-4683 before you go.
Rules
Trailers are allowed up to the ¾-ton capacity in county code, roughly 10 feet long, if they can maneuver safely; staff can turn away larger ones. Commercial C&D must be cut into pieces 3 feet or smaller, and pallets cut in half (quartered at Līhuʻe). Vehicles with commercial plates, and rented trucks, need tipping fee coupons: $6 for a passenger vehicle, $10 for a pickup or small trailer up to ½ ton, $20 for a full-size pickup or trailer up to ¾ ton, sold at the county Treasury desk in the DMV building at the Civic Center. Scrap metal, tire, oil and propane recycling are for residents only.
Hawaiʻi law keeps lead-acid car batteries (HRS 342I-1) and whole motor vehicle tires (HRS 342I-22) out of trash and landfills: they go back to a retailer or to a permitted recycler. Electronics are handled through the state's manufacturer take-back program rather than a landfill ban, and large appliances are collected separately for recycling at county sites.
The Kapaʻa Refuse Transfer Station at 5051 Kahi Road is open every day, 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., except county holidays. During its renovation it takes bagged trash only, so bring loose trash to Līhuʻe or Hanalei.
Is the Kauai dump free?
Yes for residents: there's no charge at the refuse transfer stations or the Kekaha Landfill. Commercial vehicles buy tipping fee coupons, and commercial trash at Kekaha is $119 a ton.
Where can I dump a mattress on Kauai?
Only at the Līhuʻe Refuse Transfer Station or the Kekaha Landfill. Other stations don't take bulky items over 3 feet.
Where do I take appliances in Lihue?
To Puhi Metals Recycling at 3951 Puhi Road, free for residents, Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Līhuʻe transfer station doesn't take appliances or scrap metal.
