The next “Go Green Third Saturday Recycling” event will be held on Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon at Lahaina Cannery Mall.

LAHAINA – West Maui residents have responded with enthusiasm to the monthly “Go Green Third Saturday Recycling” events at Lahaina Cannery Mall. Sponsors of the monthly events, which began in July, report that recycling bins have been filled completely for both the July and August events.

“The community response has been overwhelming,” said John de Jesus, executive director of Malama Maui Nui, a co-sponsor of the monthly events.

“In July, we filled all the bins well before the noon closing time. In August, we brought extra bins and filled them all again. Judging from the response, these monthly events are certainly meeting the needs of the West Maui community.”

The sponsors report the following recycling results for the August event alone: 40 major appliances, 6,450 pounds of scrap metal, 164 pieces of electronic gear, 11 automobile tires, 700 household batteries, eight gallons of cooking oil and hundreds of pounds of cardboard, paper, glass and cans.

“In just two months, we’ve diverted nearly ten tons of material from the Maui County landfill,” said Sandy Schneider, president of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset, a co-sponsor of the monthly events.

“We’re also aware that we’re helping residents who might otherwise dispose of bulky items, like appliances and scrap metal, in inappropriate places throughout our community. These ‘Go Green Third Saturday Recycling’ events are a win-win for residents and our island.”

The next “Go Green Third Saturday Recycling” event will be held on Sept. 19, from 8 a.m. to noon at Lahaina Cannery Mall.

Virtually all recyclables are accepted except oversize tires, clothing and household goods. There is no fee to drop off items, although a $5 donation is requested for each tire. No fees are paid to residents for recyclables delivered to the event.

In addition to Malama Maui Nui and the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset, co-sponsors of the monthly events include 5A Rent-A-Space in Honokowai, Lahaina Cannery Mall and the County of Maui.

“These events were made possible by a $15,000 grant from Maui County,” noted de Jesus. “Councilmember Elle Cochran led the effort to add these funds to the county budget, and we are indebted to her and the County Council for making this monthly program possible.”

“Go Green Third Saturday Recycling” events will continue through June 2016. For more information, or to volunteer to help at the events, contact Liz May at 5A Rent-A-Space at 669-5200. Able volunteers are needed to assist in handling large drop-offs.