HILO, Hawaii — What does a reusable food and drinkware system look like? That’s the question organizers hope to answer by inviting the public to community design workshops being held Oct. 24 to 28 at various sites in Hilo.
The joint initiative to develop a sustainable, inclusive and environmentally friendly reusable foodware system in Hilo — the Reusable Foodware System project — brings together Hawaii County, Zero Waste Hawaii Island, Perpetual and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program.
The groundbreaking endeavor is being supported by various grants, including a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure For Recycling program awarded to Hawaii County.
“We’re excited to work with the community to build out a one-of-a-kind reusable foodware system that will help us make Hawaii Island cleaner and greener for generations to come,” Mayor Mitch Roth said in a county news release.
“Our partners have worked tirelessly to bring this initiative to our island, and we invite all to come and explore the possibilities of this new technology with us. At the end of the day, this is about protecting our aina and, with it, the people of this place,” Roth explained.
At the workshops, participants will be hands-on — borrowing, using and returning a reusable cup and container — while also sharing their thoughts and ideas on how a reusable foodware system can be best designed to meet their needs.
The focus is to create a system rooted in the native Hawaiian values of Kanaka, Aina and Akua Connections (People, Land and Spirit).
Upcoming workshops are as follows:
- Tuesdau, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Drop-in design workshop at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Community Connections Fair on the library lanai
- Wednesday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. — Drop-in design workshop at Mooheau Bandstand in downtown Hilo
- Thursday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Hawaii Community College Lunch and Learn intended for students and the campus community
- Friday, Oct. 27, 1:30-4 p.m. — Kui & Kani Panaewa at Panaewa Community Center
- Saturday, Oct. 28, noon-5 p.m. — East Hawaii Cultural Center drop-in design mini workshop as part of the Downtown Halloween festivities
The Reusable Foodware System project aims to take a significant step toward reducing waste, plastic pollution and environmental harm while creating new jobs, fostering local economic growth and delivering a positive experience for Hilo residents and visitors.
Walmart Foundation, the 11th Hour Project, Plastic Solutions Fund and the Overbrook Foundation have provided grants for the project, enabling Perpetual and Zero Waste Hawaii Island to facilitate the project, provide technical expertise and support the community-driven design process in Hilo.
Sign up for the Hilo newsletter to stay informed about the progress of the project. Information on upcoming workshops is available at the Zero Waste Hawaii Island website.
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.