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COMPOSTING

Turn food scraps and yard waste into rich soil - and keep it out of the landfill

Why Compost?

Food waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Composting turns food scraps and yard waste into valuable soil while keeping that material out of the Kekaha Landfill. On Kauaʻi, composting is one of the most impactful things you can do.

Get a Free Compost Bin from the County

The County of Kauaʻi has distributed over 8,000 free Earth Machine composting bins to residents over the past 20+ years. Each bin diverts an average of 10 tons of food and yard waste over its lifetime.

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How to Get Yours

Watch a short 8-minute training video: County Compost Bin Training

​Pick up your free bin at one of these locations:
​Kauaʻi Resource Center - 3460 Ahukini Rd, Līhuʻe
Fridays 8:00am-3:30pm, no appointment needed
ʻAina Hoʻokupu o Kīlauea - Across from Kauaʻi Christian 
Mon & Wed 10am–2pm by appointment (info@ainahookupuokilauea.org)
​Hanalei Initiative - Hanalei Center above Bar Acuda
Mon–Fri 8–10am by appointment (hanaleiinitiative@gmail.com)

Schools and groups can call (808) 241-4841 or email solidwaste@kauai.gov.

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What to Compost

Fruit and vegetable scraps

Coffee grounds and tea bags

Eggshells

Yard trimmings and dry leaves

Shredded paper and cardboard

Paper napkins and paper towels​

Tip: Alternate layers of “greens” (food scraps, grass clippings) and “browns” (dry leaves, shredded paper). Add water and turn periodically.

What Not to Compost

Meat, fish, bones, Dairy products, Oils and fats, Pet waste, Diseased plants, Treated or painted wood

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Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB)
Important for Composters

The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle is a destructive invasive pest now widespread on Kauaʻi. CRB breeds in green waste, mulch, and compost piles, which makes proper management of these materials especially important.

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CRB Resources

CRBAction.com - Kauaʻi-focused resource hub from CRB Action Kauaʻi

crbhawaii.org - Statewide CRBResponse with free resources available for residents, treatment
info and FAQ

Pest Hotline: (808) 643-PEST (7378)

What You Can Do

  • ​​Inspect compost bins and green waste regularly for CRB larvae (large white grubs with red-brown heads, up to 3.5–4 inches)

  • Actively manage mulch piles 

  • Cover piles with netting and a tarp

  • Keep finished compost in sealed containers

  • Don’t dump infested material in your garden or natural areas

  • Report CRB sightings: (808) 679-5244 or info@crbhawaii.org

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