LIHU‘E — When David Chung of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center arrived at the Kaua‘i Resource Center for the monthly ARC donation event — he was met with a surprise.
“I had to order another shipping container,” Chung said. “Everything was filled. We had arranged to have three shipping containers available because of the month we couldn’t come. We had to have another container, and we’re lucky they could let us have this.”
Friday was the first time the ARC team returned following a month’s leave because the ARC team was involved in The Salvation Army’s holiday tasks on O‘ahu. Chung anticipated the need for the normal two-container load, but due to missing a month, had ordered the extra container.
Additionally, the flow of traffic increased with Chung noting that 200 cars had already been processed before the noon hour.
“Two regular shipping containers, and two HiTops,” Chung said. “That’s about 6,500 pounds of material that would otherwise end up in the landfill!”
The county’s Solid Waste Project Manager Shantelle Rego said the goal of the ARC collection is to have no surplus at the end of the crew’s tour.
“This is not going to happen, this time,” Rego said. “This is the fourth container they’re working on, and it’s not even lunchtime. We’re going to have to store the surplus until their next trip that happens on Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.”
Residents, businesses, and other organizations can bring in unwanted or unneeded items for reuse, including clothes, small furniture, children’s toys, books, and shoes. Clothing and textiles need not be in good condition. Torn or stained clothing is acceptable.
Reuse donors are asked not to bring eWaste, chemicals, appliances, or broken items.
“People have been really good about following the guidelines,” Chung said. “That makes our job that much easider. This is a new year, and I have a new crew to train.”
The county encourages the public to check with their local thrift stores to see if they can accept the donations before bringing it to the Kaua‘i Resource Center.
The ARC also offers pickup services to thrift stores and businesses. Please call 808-241-4336 to schedule a new service.
For individuals that would like home pickup service, please contact Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 808-335-6105 or RP’s Random Closet at 808-346-0020. Customers should note that RP’s Random Closet is a for-profit agency.
For information about general recycling or reuse, call 808-241-4841, or visit www.kauai.gov/recycling, or www.kauai.gov/reuse.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
