Why Recycle
In simple terms, recycling conserves energy, preserves natural resources, and reduces landfill waste. When we recycle, we protect the environment and keep our land healthy for generations to come. It is one of the easiest, most impactful ways to make a difference.
Recycling Keeps Trash Out of Landfills
Trash doesn’t just disappear.
- Aluminum can = 90 years to decompose
- Plastic bottle = 700 years
- Glass = 1 million years (!)
Recycling keeps these long-living items out of our landfills and gives them a second life. Less waste means more land preserved for things we actually love – like beaches, forests, and open space (not piles of plastic).
Recycling Saves Energy
From-scratch manufacturing (making things without recycled materials) takes a ton of energy – mining raw materials, refining them, transporting them – it all adds up. But making something from recycled materials is way more efficient.
- Making an aluminum can from recycled material saves 95% of the energy compared to making it from scratch.
- One recycled can creates enough energy to power a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours.
Multiply that by the number of cans recycled every day, and you’ve got a powerful ripple effect.
Recycling Protects Natural Resources
Everything we use comes from somewhere: trees, oil, water, minerals. When you recycle, you reduce the demand for raw materials.
Just look at cardboard. Recycling one ton of it saves:
- 17 trees
- 7,000 gallons of water
- 3 cubic yards of landfill space
That’s just one ton. Imagine what happens when an entire island gets behind this.
Recycling Helps to Reduce Pollution
Recycling doesn’t just save resources – it helps clean up the process, too.
- Recycled glass uses 50% less water during production.
- Recycled materials release less pollutants into the air (and water) than raw materials overall.
This also means better air quality and cleaner waterways.
You Get Paid
If you buy beverages in HI-5 containers, you’ve already paid a 5¢ deposit. But here’s the good part: you get that money back.
- 20 containers = $1
- A family of 4 drinking 2 beverages a day = $12/month
- That’s $144/year just sitting in your recycling bin
Bring those containers to Aloha Recycling and get paid in cash (not checks, not store credit). We’ve made it ridiculously easy, with locations around Maui that are open through lunch and never turn people away.
It’s Not That Hard. We Promise.
You don’t need to be perfect to recycle. You just need:
- A few bins at home (plastic, cans, glass, cardboard)
- A quick rinse of containers (keeps the bugs away)
- A trip to the redemption center when they’re full
We make sure the process is extra easy and smooth for you:
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Organized and clean sites
- Four locations island-wide
- Cash back in your hand
Little Habits Add Up
You don’t need to change your whole lifestyle to make a difference. Recycling one bottle doesn’t save the world – but millions of bottles recycled by everyday people? That changes everything.
You’re not expected to be perfect. Just participate. Start small. Start today. You’ll be surprised how easy it is – and how good it feels to care.
Ready to Start?
You’re already buying HI-5 containers. You’re already throwing them away. Why not get paid to do something that’s good for your wallet and the environment?
Bring your recyclables to Aloha Recycling.
Get your refund.
Feel good about what you’re doing.
Visit Aloha Recycling
We stay open during lunch. We won’t turn you away because our bins are full. And yes, we’ll pay you in cash for your HI-5 items.
Four locations across Maui | Open during lunch | Friendly, helpful staff
HI-5 Certified Redemption Center – Cash Only
