2020 Business Recycling Compliance Forms




The commercial sector has the greatest potential to significantly increase recycling on O’ahu. The recycling of targeted materials is required by law for most businesses and government agencies. Establishments with liquor licenses are required to recycle deposit (HI-5) glass bottles; office buildings (including City offices) are required to recycle paper, newspaper and cardboard; and large food establishments are required to recycle food waste. In addition, all businesses operating in O’ahu must be in compliance with the Plastic Bag Ban. Please fill out the applicable Compliance Form(s) if you received the Mandatory Recycling mailer(s) to ensure compliance. We recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser. Click on the tabs above to begin.

The City also has ordinances on restricting or banning certain commercial materials from disposal sites, all of which do not require Compliance Forms.

For more information, visit opala.org.


Food Waste Recycling Compliance

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City & County of Honolulu Ordinance, Chapter 9, Section 9-3.5 requires large restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, hospitals, food courts and food manufacturers and processors to recycle food waste. In so doing, these establishments shall not place food waste in the same containers as those holding refuse. Click here to view the Tip Sheet.

COVID-19 has affected all businesses within the City and County of Honolulu. City ordinances are still in effect and we need to reach out to all of you to ensure compliance. Please complete this form by May 28, 2020 to verify your compliance with this law. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and schedule inspections accordingly for verification.

Instructions: To begin, start typing your company name exactly as it appears on the Mandatory Food Waste Recycling mailer, and select it from the alphabetical drop down list. Complete the form and submit.

Glass Recycling Compliance

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City & County of Honolulu Ordinance, Chapter 9, Section 9-3.1 requires all liquor-serving establishments to arrange and provide for the separate collection and recycling of glass containers. In so doing, liquor-serving establishments shall not place glass bottles and jars in the same containers as those holding refuse. Click here to view the Tip Sheet.

Effective June 1, 2014, the City and County of Honolulu temporarily suspended the applicability of subsection 9-3.1 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, requiring liquor-serving establishments to arrange and provide for the separate collection and recycling of glass containers, for any business unable to access recycling services. This suspension pertains to non-deposit glass only. Businesses are still required to recycle all HI-5 deposit beverage containers per ROH subsection 9-3.1.

COVID-19 has affected all businesses within the City and County of Honolulu. City ordinances are still in effect and we need to reach out to all of you to ensure compliance. Please complete this form by May 28, 2020 to verify your compliance with this law. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and schedule inspections accordingly for verification.

Instructions: To begin, start typing your company name exactly as it appears on the Mandatory Glass Recycling mailer, and select it from the alphabetical drop down list. Complete the form and submit.

Office Paper Recycling Compliance

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City & County of Honolulu Ordinance, Chapter 9, Section 9-3.1 requires all office buildings with 20,000 square feet or more of office space to provide for the separate collection and recycling of office paper, newspaper and corrugated cardboard. In so doing, office buildings shall not place those recyclable materials in the same container as those holding refuse. Click here to view the Tip Sheet.

COVID-19 has affected all businesses within the City and County of Honolulu. City ordinances are still in effect and we need to reach out to all of you to ensure compliance. Please complete this form by May 28, 2020 to verify your compliance with this law. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and schedule inspections accordingly for verification.

Instructions: To begin, start typing your company name exactly as it appears on the Mandatory Office Paper Recycling mailer, and select it from the alphabetical drop down list. If your building name is incorrect, please email businessrecycle@honolulu.gov. Complete the form and submit.

Plastic Bag Ban Compliance

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City & County of Honolulu Ordinance, Chapter 9, Sections 9-9.1 through 9-9.4, regulate the use of plastic bags on O’ahu. Businesses shall be prohibited from providing plastic checkout bags and non-recyclable paper bags to their customers at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise. Businesses may provide, at the point of sale, reusable bags or recyclable paper bags for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise provided they charge the customer a minimum or 15 cents per bag. Click here to view the Information Sheet, which includes details and exemptions.

Please note, effective January 1, 2021, Ordinance 19-30 (Bill 40) will amend the Plastic Bag Ban; visit the Plastic Bag Ban Webpage for details.

COVID-19 has affected all businesses within the City and County of Honolulu. City ordinances are still in effect and we need to reach out to all of you to ensure compliance. Please complete this form by May 28, 2020 to verify your compliance with this law. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and schedule inspections accordingly for verification.

Instructions: Please allow this page to fully load before beginning. To begin, click on the Company Name dropdown list and start typing your company name exactly as it appears on the Plastic Bag Ban mailer. List is in alphabetical order. If your company name is missing or your mail is addressed to “ESTABLISHMENT”, click on the checkbox below the Company Name dropdown list. Complete the form and submit.



select Address Type     


Select the appropriate option:

FOG (fats, oils and grease) is not considered food waste. FOG is regulated by the ENV Environmental Quality Division - Regulatory Control Branch (768-3286)
Select an Unit     
Select reason(s):
This number is based on the prior year’s average number of prepared meals served or sold per day




Select the appropriate option:

Approximate number is based on a monthly average. Deposit (HI-5) bottles can be redeemed for 5 cents. They have “HI-5 ¢” on the label
Approximate number is based on a monthly average. Non-deposit bottles cannot be redeemed for 5 cents. They do not have “HI-5 ¢” on the label. This includes most wines and spirits. Non-deposit bottle recycling is currently not required; it’s been suspended from the glass recycling ordinance until further notice
It is acceptable to donate glass bottles to non-profits or individuals, as long as it gets recycled by them
Select the appropriate option:

Approximate average amount generated on a monthly basis:

Obtain the information above from your recycling company. One 96-gallon cart equals approximately 200 lbs.

Due to
Select the appropriate option:

Check all that apply:
“Recyclable Paper Bag” means a paper bag that: (1) is one hundred percent recyclable, (2) contains a minimum of forty percent post-consumer recycled content, and (3) displays the words “Reusable” and “Recyclable” in a highly visible manner on the outside of the bag.

“Reusable Bag” means a bag with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse and is made of: (1) cloth or other washable fabric; or (2) durable material suitable for reuse, including plastic film bags thicker than 10 mils.

Your bag must comply with the ordinance when it is provided at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise.

Bags included in Exemptions A-J do not have to comply with the ordinance (including bag type and charging customers the minimum 15 cent fee).

Check all that apply:
Bags used by customers inside a business to package loose items, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, ground coffee, grains, candies, or small hardware items.

Bags used to contain or wrap frozen foods, meat or fish, flowers or potted plants, or other items to contain dampness.

Bags used to protect/transport prepared foods, beverages, or bakery goods, including takeout bags used at restaurants, fast food restaurants, & lunch wagons, to transport prepared foods.

Bags provided by pharmacists to contain prescription medications.

Newspaper bags for home newspaper delivery.

Door hanger bags.

Laundry, dry cleaning, or garment bags, including bags provided by hotels to guests to contain wet or dirty clothing.

Bags sold in packages containing multiple bags intended for garbage, pet waste, or yard waste bags.

Bags used to contain live animals, such as fish or insects sold in pet stores.

Bags used to transport chemical pesticides, drain-cleaning chemicals, or other caustic chemicals sold at the retail level; provided that this exemption shall be limited to one bag per customer.

Please select one:

Please select one:


For refuse and recycling information, visit opala.org. For assistance, email the City’s Recycling Branch at businessrecycle@honolulu.gov or call 768-3200 ext. 6.