March 17, 2025

Hawaiʻi County Announces the Launch of a Request for Proposals to Select a Service Operator for the Hilo Reusable Foodware Program

(Hilo, HI) – Hawaiʻi County, in partnership with Zero Waste Hawaiʻi Island, University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, and Perpetual, proudly announces the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a service operator for the Hilo Reusable Foodware Program. This initiative marks a pivotal milestone in an effort to establish a community-scale reuse system, thoughtfully designed by and for the Hilo community.

This program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) ($1.5 million), EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant: Environmental Justice through Safer and More Sustainable Products ($622,000), and private foundations ($600,000). The selected operator will enter into a three-year agreement with two optional one-year extensions to operate the Hilo Reusable Foodware System. This agreement provides no-cost, exclusive access to the SWIFR-funded supplies and equipment, as well as funding for the one-time setup and customization of the Software & Digital Infrastructure system.

Key details:

  • To view the RFP please check out the County’s Public Purchase page of current solicitations and navigate to “RFP #4598 - HILO REUSABLE FOODWARE SYSTEM”. You will need to register on Public Purchase to view the RFP posting. Please review the County’s Purchasing Department website for instructions on how to register and navigate Public Purchase. All details can be found there and in the RFP. 

  • Key dates to keep in mind:

    • March 14, 2025 - Public announcement of RFP

    • April 2, 2025 - Pre-proposal questions due, in writing

    • March 27, 2025 - Pre-proposal conference, Register here. 

    • April 16, 2025 - Proposals due

    • April 21, 2025 - *Begin Evaluation of Proposals

    • April 28, 2025 - *Begin Interviews/Demonstrations/conduct Site Visits, if applicable

    • May 5, 2025 - *Begin Negotiations

    • *NOTE: Events preceded by an asterisk have estimated dates.

  • Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted through Public Purchase.

This program builds on over two years of extensive community engagement, co-design workshops, and collaborative strategic planning. Local businesses, organizations, schools, and community members have played a vital role in shaping a system uniquely tailored to Hilo’s needs. The program aims to significantly reduce waste and create good local jobs while providing a cost-effective solution for local businesses seeking alternatives to disposable packaging.

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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. 

Media Contacts 

Hawaiʻi County: Craig Kawaguchi, Craig.Kawaguchi@hawaiicounty.gov  

Perpetual: Ellie Moss, hello@perpetualuse.org 

University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program: Cindy Knapman, lknapman@hawaii.edu 

Zero Waste Hawaiʻi Island: Jennifer Navarra, zwhi@zerowastehi.org