Kauaʻi County apartment and multifamily property owners and community managers: simplify recycling, protect your brand, and keep residents happy while staying aligned with Kauaʻi County’s Integrated Solid Waste Management rules, Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program, and landfill bans. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service gives your community an easy, inspector-friendly way to support the County’s diversion goals — without making residents haul bags to distant drop-off sites.
Mandate Type (Kauaʻi County): Kauaʻi has a countywide integrated solid waste management framework (Kauaʻi County Code Chapter 21), a Residential Refuse Collection Assessment (RRCA) Pay-As-You-Throw program, and a commercial landfill ban on loads with excessive cardboard, metals, and green waste (Ordinance 902). The County does not currently publish a standalone, unit-threshold apartment/multifamily recycling mandate (for example, “5+ dwelling units must provide onsite recycling”).
Applicability Threshold: Chapter 21 applies broadly to anyone using County solid waste facilities or setting out refuse for County collection — including residences (single-family and multifamily), resorts, and commercial generators. Ordinance 902 applies to commercially generated loads delivered to the landfill or transfer stations. State law (HRS 342G) directs counties to implement mandatory onsite recycling for certain buildings constructed on or after July 1, 2007, but this is implemented through County plans and programs rather than a clearly codified, Kauaʻi-specific apartment recycling section.
- Protect NOI & Reputation: Clean, well-managed waste and recycling areas reduce overflow, illegal dumping, and complaints — all while supporting your property’s sustainability messaging.
- Resident Convenience: Doorstep collection means residents don’t have to haul heavy bags to carts or drop-off centers, reducing contamination and litter around enclosures.
- De-Risked Compliance: We design your program to support Kauaʻi County Code Chapter 21 (Integrated Solid Waste Management), PAYT/RRCA, and Ordinance 902 landfill bans, and to respect State of Hawaiʻi integrated solid waste priorities.
- Inspector-Friendly Documentation: Container maps, service agreements, photos, and resident education records help show good-faith compliance if County or State inspectors ever ask questions.
At a Glance: Kauaʻi County vs. Hawaiʻi State Framework
Kauaʻi County (Island-Wide)
- Mandate Type: Integrated solid waste management / PAYT with landfill bans. Chapter 21 establishes standards for refuse collection, recycling, and landfill operations. Ordinance 902 bans landfill disposal of commercial loads with more than 10% corrugated cardboard, ferrous/non-ferrous metals, or green waste by volume.
- Applicability Threshold: Chapter 21 applies to anyone using County facilities or setting out refuse for County collection, including residential (single-family and multifamily) and commercial generators. Ordinance 902 applies to commercial loads delivered to County facilities. There is no published unit-count trigger (such as “5+ units”) specifically for multifamily recycling.
- Duties in Practice for Multifamily:
- Ensure residents have access to reliable refuse and recycling options (RRCA carts, private hauler service, or both).
- Prevent prohibited materials and banned recyclable fractions from being landfilled as part of commercial loads.
- Use County transfer stations and residential drop-off recycling centers appropriately (no scavenging, follow posted rules).
- Maintain clean, non-nuisance container areas and prevent windblown litter.
- Enforcement: Under Kauaʻi County Code § 21-1.6, violations of Chapter 21 can lead to civil fines up to $1,000 per offense, per day, plus the cost of cleanup or remedy. County staff may also reject contaminated or prohibited loads at transfer stations or the landfill.
- Key County Links:
Kauaʻi County Code – Table of Contents (see Ch. 21)
Kauaʻi County Code Ch. 21 – Integrated Solid Waste Management
Residential Refuse Collection Assessment (RRCA) – PAYT Program
PAYT / Variable Rates Overview
Landfill Bans & Ordinance 902 Summary
Business Recycling & Commercial Disposal Restrictions
Kauaʻi Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan Update (PDF)
State of Hawaiʻi Framework (Applies to Kauaʻi)
- Mandate Type: Integrated Solid Waste Management & Recycling Priorities. Under HRS Chapter 342G, recycling and waste diversion are prioritized over landfilling, and each county must maintain an integrated solid waste management plan.
- Onsite Recycling for Newer Buildings: A 2006 state law (often cited with SB 2622) directs counties to develop mandatory onsite recycling programs for buildings constructed on or after July 1, 2007. Counties implement this through their integrated solid waste plans and local rules rather than a single, statewide apartment-recycling ordinance.
- Enforcement & Penalties: The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) may enforce solid waste and recycling rules under Chapters 342G and 342H, with administrative and civil penalties for serious violations (including illegal dumping, permit violations, or improper disposal of prohibited materials).
- Implications for Apartments: While there is no explicit, statewide “X+ unit” apartment recycling mandate, the combination of:
- State diversion goals,
- County PAYT and landfill bans, and
- County integrated solid waste rules
- Key State Links:
HRS Chapter 342G – Integrated Solid Waste Management
DOH Administrative & Civil Penalty Policy for Solid Waste (PDF)
State of Hawaiʻi Recycling & Waste Portal
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
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Kauaʻi County – Chapter 21 Violations:
Under Kauaʻi County Code § 21-1.6, any person (including property owners, managers, haulers, or businesses) who violates Chapter 21 may be:
• Fined up to $1,000 per offense; and
• Required to pay the full cost of any cleanup or remedial work performed by the County.
Each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense, so unresolved problems can quickly add up for non-compliant properties. -
Landfill Bans & Commercial Loads (Ordinance 902):
County Ordinance 902 bans landfill disposal of commercially generated loads with more than 10% corrugated cardboard, 10% ferrous and non-ferrous metal, or 10% green waste by volume. Loads that exceed these limits may:
• Be rejected at the landfill or transfer station;
• Trigger penalties or surcharges from haulers; and
• Result in enforcement action if the pattern continues.
For multifamily communities, this means poorly managed waste areas can drive up costs when haulers refuse or reclassify loads as contaminated. -
State of Hawaiʻi – Serious Solid Waste Violations:
For more serious issues (such as unlawful dumping, operating an unpermitted disposal site, or ignoring DOH orders), the Hawaiʻi Department of Health may seek administrative or civil penalties under State law. Depending on the statute and severity, penalties can reach thousands of dollars per day, per violation. These actions usually target haulers and operators, but large properties can be pulled in if they contribute to the violation. - Tip: For apartment and resort-style communities on Kauaʻi, the best way to avoid daily fines, rejected loads, or DOH attention is to show proactive, documented management of trash and recycling — including contracts, photos, and resident education records.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (Kauaʻi County Multifamily & Resort Communities)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Applicable Codes |
Kauaʻi has no incorporated cities; the County of Kauaʻi is the primary local government for solid waste:
• All communities (Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa, Poʻipū, Princeville, etc.) fall under Kauaʻi County Code and the County’s integrated solid waste system. • Review Chapter 21 – Integrated Solid Waste Management to understand how the County defines “residence,” “residential drop-off recycling center,” and “commercial solid waste.” • Identify whether your property uses RRCA (County collection), a private hauler, or a combination. |
Kauaʻi County Code – Table of Contents Ch. 21 – Integrated Solid Waste Management Refuse Collection Overview (RRCA) |
| ☑ Align with PAYT / RRCA & Hauler Service |
Make sure your trash and recycling service matches how your property actually operates:
• If you are on the RRCA PAYT program, verify cart sizes, quantities, and rates for each building or cluster. • If you use a private hauler for dumpsters or compactors, confirm service frequency and that recyclables are going to an approved facility. • Ensure commercial loads from your property do not exceed 10% cardboard, metals, or green waste by volume to avoid rejection under Ordinance 902. |
RRCA / PAYT Information Landfill Bans & Ordinance 902 Business Recycling Guidance |
| ☑ Container Layout, Enclosures & Signage |
Design waste and recycling areas for easy use by residents and haulers:
• Provide clearly labeled trash and recycling containers sized to your resident count and housekeeping patterns (especially for resorts and high-amenity properties). • Separate recycling from trash as much as possible to reduce contamination. • Keep enclosures and corrals in good repair with posted instructions for what residents can and cannot place in each container. • Ensure haulers have safe truck access, clearances, and gate codes. |
Transfer Stations & Facility Rules Recycling Resources (County) |
| ☑ Resident Education & Communication Plan |
Build a simple but consistent education campaign for residents:
• Provide move-in packets with “how-to” guides for trash and recycling, including maps of container locations. • Send reminders before busy periods (holidays, peak tourist seasons, move-in/move-out dates). • Use door hangers, email, portals, and lobby/elevator signage to reinforce proper recycling behavior. • Translate or simplify key instructions for communities with many visitors or short-term occupants. |
State Recycling & Waste – Resident Resources Kauaʻi County Recycling Info |
| ☑ Documentation & Avoiding Daily Fines |
Create an “inspection-ready” compliance file (digital or physical) for your community:
• Current service agreements and invoices for trash and recycling. • Photos of all trash and recycling areas showing labels, signage, and cleanliness. • Copies of resident-facing communications (emails, flyers, door hangers). • Notes from internal inspections and corrective actions (for example, contamination clean-ups). • Any communications with haulers or the County about service changes or overflow issues. This file helps demonstrate good-faith compliance if any Chapter 21 issue arises, and can be the difference between a warning and daily fines. |
Kauaʻi County Code Ch. 21 – Penalty Section Public Works – Solid Waste Division |
| ☑ New Construction & Major Renovations |
For buildings constructed or substantially renovated after July 1, 2007:
• Coordinate with your design team to ensure onsite recycling space and access are built into the plans (enclosures, chutes, compactors, container pads). • Confirm that your solid waste design supports State integrated solid waste goals and County programs (PAYT, landfill bans, and drop-off infrastructure). • Use National Doorstep’s design assistance to integrate valet trash & recycling service into architectural plans and operating procedures from day one. |
HRS 342G – Integrated Solid Waste Management Kauaʻi ISWMP Update (PDF) |
Need a fast compliance check for your Kauaʻi County community? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Kauaʻi apartment, condo, or resort property. We’ll right-size your containers, map collection points, draft resident education, and assemble inspection-ready documentation so you can support Kauaʻi’s recycling goals while keeping residents happy and avoiding costly fines.
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