Our Process

Our volunteers process junk refrigerators by collecting them, deconstructing them, and recycling their parts at Mr. K’s recycling center, Big Island Scrap Metal, and the County of Hawaii Ocean View Waste Transfer Station.  We use the EPA guidelines when deconstructing refrigerators.  Once a volunteer has deconstructed a refrigerator, all that remains is the shell and the freezer door.  Our organization recycles all valuable metals and other recyclable parts. 

Our volunteers plant garden beds by creating nutrient-rich soil using organic matter, fertilizer, and our special soil blend. Then, they fill the refrigerator garden bed with various plants, depending on the climate and conditions of where the refrigerator garden is located. 

Our volunteers and website provide education on food growing, composting, and cooking. We empower people to grow their own food and build healthy eating habits for the future.

Our organization utilizes 100% volunteer labor. Our volunteers transport, deconstruct, and plant refrigerator gardens. They also grow starter plants, go to farmers markets to promote our organization, and educate people on how to care for their gardens.