Reynolds Pearl City Redemption Center, Pearl City’s Neighborhood Recycler

Aug 6, 2019 | BizSpotlight

For over 38 years, the Reynolds Pearl City Redemption Center located at the Pearl City Shopping Center has served our community while making recycling convenient in our neighborhood.

“Reynolds mission is to make recycling convenient and a way of life for everyone in Hawaii,” said Bruce Iverson, Director of Marketing & Development, Reynolds Recycling Inc. “Our Motto is "your Neighborhood Recycler", and we are working to achieve that in Pearl City, and throughout the state.”

Through the years, Reynolds has expanded its recycling business from aluminum cans to plastic and glass bottles and scrap materials.

“The Reynolds Pearl City Redemption Center was opened in 1981, as part of Reynolds Metals Corporation,” Iverson said. “At that time we purchased aluminum cans only. In 2005 the HI-5 program started in Hawaii, and we began redeeming plastic and glass bottles as well. We also buy scrap aluminum, brass, copper and stainless steel. We are locally owned and operated and based out of Sand Island.”

Reynolds Recycling has been working with many groups, clubs, and organizations (The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, PACT, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Honolulu Zoo, etc. and a very long list of schools).

Pearl City resident Raquel Asinas, affectionately known as “The Bicycle Lady of Pearl City”, is embraced and appreciated by friends and the Pearl City community for her commitment to recycling which is a part of her daily life and routine.

Raquel has ridden her three-wheel bike every day for the past five years collecting aluminum cans and plastic and glass bottles from neighbors, friends, and businesses around Pearl City that she deposits twice a month at the Pearl City Shopping Center Reynolds Redemption Center. What truly makes Raquel’s efforts remarkable and an insiration, is that at 81 years old she keeps herself fit while navigating mile after mile through the streets of Pearl City collecting recyclables. From her heart and soul she is thoughtful and extends compassion for others by donating all the money that she earns to Pearl City schools and worthy causes in the community.

“I love Pearl City," said Asinas. "This is a quiet community and people are so loving and very friendly. People in Pearl City really appreciate what I do with the recycling and they call me “The Bicycle Lady of Pearl City”. I’m 81 years old and healthy – physically and mentally.”

“It’s very encouraging to see an elderly lady still being vivacious and going to recycle on her bicycle,” Iverson commented.

Mahalo to Reynolds Recycling Pearl City site supervisor Ashlyn Akuna and her crew for serving our Pearl City community as our recycling neighbor and friend.