Directories recycled with help from Oahu residents

This year, thousands of expired telephone directories in Hawaii were kept out of landfills and processed into reusable products thanks to Oahu community members and the Think Yellow, Go Green Recycling Program. Oahu residents, Berry and Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages came together to repurpose more than 53 tons of recycled telephone directories, the equivalent of approximately 28,000 directories. Once recycled, directories were then converted into oil-absorbent materials and used to manufacture oil change kits, kitchen oil disposal boxes and mulch for local companies such as The Original Oil Change Box and Green Lava & ProSeed Hydro-Mulch.

The month-long recycling program was supported by volunteers from the Lokahi Giving Project, who staffed the drop-off locations, and All Rolloff Services, who provided containers and hauling services.

Residents were invited to recycle their outdated and extra phone directories at participating locations throughout the island. Directories were accepted at the Kahala Mall, Ward Warehouse, Winward Mall and Waikele Premium Outlets. Recycled directories were then shipped to local recycler, Island Shell LLC.

“If you lined up this year’s total recycled directories, it would stretch from Haleiwa to Honolulu and back,” said Szczekocki. “Each one of those recycled directories is one step closer to a greener community.”