A 12-month project that removed 12 years of accumulated waste at the Hana Landfill has been completed.

A total of 474 truckloads made their way along the narrow, 52-mile roadway from Hana, removing about 2,500 tons of material.

Through a county contract, SOS Metals Island Recycling coordinated the removal of derelict vehicles, appliances, batteries, scrap metal and nearly 4,000 tires for processing and shipment off-island for recycling.

The accumulation at the landfill violated state rules. The county plans to open a recycling center at the site.