Waste Management - Kekaha Landfill (Kauai)

Kekaha Landfill on Kaumualii Highway is the island’s main place to drop off trash that can’t be recycled or hauled away. Locals and contractors both use it - expect cars, pickups with trailers, and roll-offs from businesses. It’s a working landfill, so bring the attitude that this is not a tidy recycling center but where things get buried.

A scalehouse sits near the entrance and vehicles stop there to be weighed, so plan for a pause coming in and another when leaving since tipping fees are weight-based. There’s an obvious drive-up path to the drop area and larger piles and compactors are visible from the lanes; trucks and trailers maneuver carefully, so take it slow. Recycling and bulky items are typically separated at sites like this, with bins or areas off to the side rather than mixed in with the main drop; expect clear signage and people directing traffic during busy times. Weekends and seasonal cleanup days get backed up, and lines can form at the booth, so patience helps.