Hawaii's Green Drive: Sony and Partners Tackle E-Waste with PGA Perks

HONOLULU, HI – January 07, 2026

This Saturday, Honolulu residents will have a unique opportunity to clear out their post-holiday clutter, protect the environment, and even score tickets to a premier PGA Tour event. A powerful coalition including Sony Electronics Inc., national recycling giant ERI, local collection specialist T&N, and Friends of Hawaii Charities is hosting a free electronic waste recycling event at Waikiki Elementary School. The event aims to provide a convenient and responsible disposal route for a wide range of unwanted electronics, from old televisions to mobile phones.

The free collection drive is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school's 'Going Green Day'. To sweeten the deal, the first 100 participants to donate acceptable electronics will receive a reward: two one-day admission tickets to the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii, the popular charity golf tournament.

A Collaborative Answer to an Island Challenge

This event arrives at a critical time for Hawaii's waste management efforts. As an island state with finite landfill space and unique logistical hurdles, Hawaii has been at the forefront of tackling the growing e-waste problem through progressive legislation. Recent laws, such as Act 151 and the newly effective Act 162, have expanded the state's e-waste program, placing greater responsibility on manufacturers to fund and manage the recycling of the products they sell. These laws mandate that manufacturers recycle a significant percentage of the electronics sold in the state, with targets increasing annually.

The collaboration between Sony, ERI, and T&N is a direct, on-the-ground embodiment of this manufacturer responsibility. It brings together global corporate commitment, national recycling expertise, and local logistical know-how to create an effective solution for the community. While state laws provide the framework, events like this provide the practical access points that residents need to participate in the circular economy.

“Through this event, we are taking an active step in helping our community recycle a wide range of electronics products," said Joyce Kwan, Environmental Stewardship Manager at Sony Electronics Inc. "As part of our global environmental plan, Road to Zero, Sony is dedicated to working with certified recyclers where it supports the collection of electronic materials.”

This partnership model is essential for overcoming the geographic challenges of the islands, where collected e-waste often must be carefully sorted and shipped off-island for final processing at specialized facilities. By streamlining collection, the event helps ensure that a larger volume of hazardous materials is diverted from local landfills.

The Business of Secure and Sustainable Recycling

For many consumers, the question of what happens to their old devices after drop-off is a major concern, encompassing both data privacy and environmental impact. The involvement of ERI, the nation’s largest electronics recycler, directly addresses these issues. ERI holds the highest-level certifications in the industry, including R2 (Responsible Recycling) and e-Stewards, ensuring that electronics are handled in an environmentally sound manner.

Crucially, the company is also certified for data security with ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II credentials. This means all devices are processed through a secure chain of custody to destroy any personal data left on old hard drives, phones, and computers - a critical assurance in an age of digital privacy concerns. By participating, residents can be confident their data is protected and that their old gadgets won't end up polluting ecosystems in other parts of the world.

“It is an honor to support an event that benefits the good people of Hawaii,” said John Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of ERI. “The work we will be doing on January 10 will prevent unwanted electronics from ending up in landfills, while providing a convenient way for people to de-clutter after the holidays! Sony has always been an impactful leader when it comes to sustainability issues, and this event is a great example of that. We are proud to be partnering with them yet again.”

The process is far more complex than simply crushing old devices. Responsible recycling involves de-manufacturing products to recover valuable materials like gold, silver, copper, and palladium, which can then be reused in new manufacturing, reducing the need for virgin mining.

More Than a Drop-Off: Incentivizing Community Action

Understanding that motivation is key to public participation, the event organizers have integrated a variety of incentives and community-focused activities. The primary draw for many will be the tickets to the Sony Open, valid for any day of the tournament from January 12-18. Adult family members who participate can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win Sony product prizes.

Beyond the giveaways, the event offers a hands-on educational component. Participants can join a special activity to make "Genki Balls," mudballs packed with beneficial microbes that are used to help clean and restore the nearby Ala Wai Canal. This activity connects the act of recycling with broader local environmental restoration efforts, fostering a deeper sense of community stewardship.

To maximize the event's positive impact, organizers are also collecting a wide array of items beyond electronics. In partnership with Friends of Hawaii Charities, the event will accept donations of canned goods, gently used clothing, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and diapers for both children (keiki) and elders (kupuna). Pet supplies like towels, blankets, and food are also welcome. For those with larger items, a free towing service for unwanted cars is available by calling a dedicated number.

Acceptable electronic items for recycling include TVs, computers and their peripherals, mobile devices, HI-5 beverage containers, large metal items like filing cabinets, and all battery types except for lithium. Organizers have specified that items like tires, paint, oils, and general household goods will not be accepted.

A Broader Commitment to Sustainability

This recycling drive is not a standalone initiative but part of a larger commitment to sustainability integrated into the Sony Open in Hawaii. The 2026 tournament marks the 28th year of Sony's sponsorship, and over the decades, the event has increasingly incorporated green initiatives. This reflects Sony's corporate-wide "Road to Zero" environmental plan, which aims to achieve a zero environmental footprint throughout the lifecycle of its products and business activities.

By linking a popular sporting event with a tangible environmental action, the organizers are leveraging a massive public platform to promote sustainability. This strategy helps normalize recycling and environmental responsibility, showing that it can be a convenient and rewarding part of community life. The event at Waikiki Elementary School serves as a powerful example of how corporate sponsorship can extend beyond the golf course to create lasting benefits for the host community and its environment.