Hawaii students divert 20,000 pounds of waste and win $1.5M grant

A student-led initiative in Ka'u has made significant progress in reducing waste since its launch in 2024. Nine high school students from Malama 'Aina Compostables have diverted over 20,000 pounds of rubbish from the West Hawaii landfill. Their efforts recently earned a $1.5 million grant to expand their work over the next three years. The group began in 2024 with a focus on composting, trash separation, and recycling. During the 2024-25 school year, they kept around 10 tons of food waste out of the landfill. Their success continued at local events, including the 2025 Volcano Renaissance Faire, where they diverted 90% of waste.

Malama 'Aina Compostables operates a $35,000 composting unit called 'Ho'ouli', designed to last 20 years. They also sell composted soil to fund school programmes and support local farming. Beyond waste reduction, the students provide zero-waste education and recycle large appliances. The initiative now aims to influence broader change. The group is pushing for updates to Hawaii’s waste laws, including reclassifying food waste as a non-biohazard material.

With a $1.5 million grant, the students plan to grow their impact over the next three years. Their work has already cut landfill waste by thousands of pounds and improved local recycling. The project’s success could shape future waste policies across Hawaii.