Honolulu Launches Food Waste Recycling Pilot

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The city of Honolulu has launched a new pilot program called G.R.O.W. that allows residents in six neighborhoods to discard food waste along with green waste in their green trash carts. The goal is to reduce the amount of waste sent to Oahu's landfill by turning food scraps and yard trimmings into compost.

Why it matters

As Oahu's main landfill nears capacity, the city is looking for new ways to divert waste from the landfill. Food waste makes up a significant portion of the waste stream, so a successful food recycling program could have a major impact on extending the life of the landfill.

The details

The G.R.O.W. pilot program is currently underway in the Honolulu neighborhoods of Kailua, Kalihi, Hawaii Kai, Mililani, Nanakuli, and Waipahu. Residents in these areas can now add food waste to their green compost carts, in addition to yard trimmings. However, the city reminds participants that only food waste should be included - no bags, plastics, or other non-compostable materials.

• The G.R.O.W. pilot program launched on April 1, 2026.

What’s next

The city will monitor participation and results of the G.R.O.W. pilot over the next several months to determine if the program should be expanded to other neighborhoods across Oahu.