Hawaiʻi County Seeks Operator for Hilo Reusable Foodware Program
Hawaiʻi County Seeks Operator for Hilo Reusable Foodware Program
The County of Hawaiʻi has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the launch of the Hilo Reusable Foodware Program.
The selected applicant from the RFP process will oversee a community-scale system responsible for collecting, washing, and reusing takeout containers with the goal of eliminating waste and supporting the local economy.
This initiative is funded by $2.12 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and $600,000 in private foundational support and is done in partnership with Zero Waste Hawaiʻi Island, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, and Perpetual.
“This program serves as a city-scale demonstration that aims to cut waste and save money for local businesses,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “By creating a voluntary system for reusing foodware, we are implementing important sustainable practices that can serve both our environment and economy.”
The operator will receive access to reusable foodware inventory and washing equipment, as well as funding for one-time setup and customization of the program’s software and digital infrastructure platform.
County Department of Environmental Management Deputy Director Craig Kawaguchi, who was part of the grant team, emphasized the key role local input played in shaping the program.
“What makes this program special is how it reflects the Hilo community,” Kawaguchi said. “Businesses, schools, and local leaders worked alongside us to design a system that fits Hilo’s unique strengths and needs. We’re now looking for a service operator who will carry that same idea forward and continue to collaborate with our community to build something lasting.”
The deadline to submit a proposal is April 16. Interested applicants can access the full RFP by visiting the County’s Public Purchase website – hawaiicounty.gov/departments/finance/purchasing – under RFP #4598 – HILO REUSABLE FOODWARE SYSTEM. Registration is required to view and submit proposals.
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About Perpetual
Perpetual is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that is helping businesses, local governments, and communities in four partner cities across the U.S. design and implement city-wide reusable foodware systems. Perpetual’s inclusive, holistic, science-based design process ensures that reuse systems are affordable and accessible to everyone.
About Zero Waste Hawaiʻi Island
ZWHI is fiscally sponsored by Inquiring Systems Inc., and their mission is to connect diverse Hawaiʻi Island communities to support equitable systems redesign and policy change to achieve zero waste. ZWHI began in 2019 as a community group, hosting monthly meetings and doing community outreach. They grew to address Hawaiʻi Island’s waste problem by working to reduce packaging waste through policy, and by modeling systems of waste reduction that are grounded in Hawaiian value systems of Kanaka,`Āina, Akua Connections (humankind, land, and spirit) – recalling the ancient relationship between land and humanity as a zero-waste system.
About University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program
The University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program has been supporting an innovative program of research, education, engagement, and communication services directed to increasing sustainability of coastal and marine resources and resilience of coastal communities of the state, region, and nation since 1968.
