“Tour de Trash” participants observe the collected pile of steel at the Hammerhead Steel Recycling facility.

LAHAINA – To delve deeper into the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset’s focus on keeping our island green and clean, 18 members and guests recently took part in an informative “Tour De Trash.”

Led by Hana Steele, tour guests boarded a private Akina van for visits to the five tour sites. Sites included the Maui Landfill, the composting area, Hammerhead Steel, Maui Disposal Recycling and the E-Cycling Center in Wailuku.

Tour guests were informed and somewhat concerned about the state of waste management in Maui County.

Past President Liz May said, “There are many different challenges and reasons we aren’t doing what other states and countries are currently doing. Too many to list here; however, we can make a difference.”

The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset has coordinated and staffed monthly “Go for the Green” third Saturday recycling events at Lahaina Cannery Mall since 2015.

It has been said that West Maui is the cleanest area of the island due to the work of this club along with Malama Maui Nui and 5A Rent-A-Space’s efforts.

To continue the “Go for the Green” focus, club members will present an informative and interactive activity to third-graders at Princess Nahi’ena’ena School in early November.

Entitled “Michael Recycle” members will share a picture book and follow up activities with the 125 third-graders to help them understand the need to reduce, reuse and recycle on Maui.

The club also offers scholarships to high school graduates who reside in West Maui or Molokai and are selecting a college major in Environmental Studies.

For more information on the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset, contact President Heidi Dollinger at Heidi.LahainaSunset@gmail.com or visit the club’s website at www.rotarycluboflahainasunset.org.