Shad Hanohano of Malama Maui Nui works at the recycled appliance area.

LAHAINA – Now in its second year, the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset’s Third Saturday Recycling Event continues to meet an important community need. An average of 137 people drop off items each month at Lahaina Cannery Mall, doing their part to keep West Maui clean.

“The 20-month results are remarkable,” said Community Service Chair Katie Zimmerman. “Over 100,000 pounds of scrap metal; 1,087 major appliances, including refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers; and 2,745 electronic devices have been collected and recycled.

“Nearly 350 vehicle tires, over 180 vehicle batteries and more than 39,500 pounds of glass, plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard will not end up in the county landfill, or as many residents have told us, left on the county’s back roads.”

Last year, funds added to the county budget were directed to Malama Maui Nui, a nonprofit organization, to pay the costs of hauling recycling bins to and from Lahaina Cannery Mall. The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset is a co-sponsor, donating labor and marketing.

“The Third Saturday Recycling program is an excellent example of a partnership to meet community needs,” said Zimmerman.

“We’ve had the important support of 5A Rent-A-Space, Lahaina Cannery Mall and Down The Hatch, which paid the cost to recycle tires from a cleanup of Honolua Bay in March,” she added.

The County of Maui has provided funds to Malama Maui Nui to operate Third Saturday Recycling through June 2017.

If you’d like to see the program continue after June, contact the Maui County Administration and Maui County Council members.

“The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset urges community members to voice their support,” said club Interim President Joanne Laird. “Third Saturday Recycling is making a difference in West Maui. Let’s make sure it continues to do so in 2018.”

The next “Go Green Third Saturday Recycling” event will be held on April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lahaina Cannery Mall.

All recyclables qualify for dropoff, except oversized tires, household goods, wood items and household batteries. There is a $5 charge for each tire; all other items are accepted without charge. No fees are paid to residents for recyclables delivered to the event.

Volunteers are invited to assist at Third Saturday Recycling events. You may sign up to help at one or both shifts: 8:30 to 10 a.m., or 10 a.m. to noon. To volunteer, contact Zimmerman at katieislands@yahoo.com or (808) 280-8986.