Recycle: to use again – a simple definition for a process that has grown in importance as we continue to overflow landfills and deplete natural resources, especially on an island like Maui.

Finally, more people are turning to recycling and making it a part of their everyday lives and there are more programs to help with the effort. Expanding from the modest aluminum can, glass and newspaper collections of past years, there are now programs for appliances, electronics, ink cartridges and scrap metal. Plastic shopping bags are now accepted–just put them all in one bag and deposit in the proper bin. Even the family Christmas tree is now turned into garden mulch.

It only takes a few minutes a day to keep your recyclables separate from the garbage, pack them up and drop them off at the nearest collection center. Contribute to keeping Maui clean, reduce landfill trash and save precious natural resources from overuse and depletion. Every ounce counts. Every person counts–we can all make a difference.

Recently, a weekly radio program, “Talking Trash” with Hannah Steele, has debuted on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 on 1110 AM radio devoted entirely to recycling issues. Check it out, call in with questions and keep interest about recycling growing.

Many municipalities provide for home pickup of many items–something for our county to aspire to. Maui has many collection centers stationed across the island. For a complete listing of Maui recycling locations, hours for accepting recyclables, what is accepted and how to prepare it and other sources for specialty items, go to the Maui County Web site at www.mauicounty.gov/recycle.

Contribute to keeping Maui clean, reduce landfill trash and save precious natural resources from overuse and depletion. Every ounce counts. Every person counts–we can all make a difference.

Keep it clean. Keep it green. Keep it Maui.

– Haole Anna, Paia