Hawaii Bottle Bill

From dKosopedia

Categories: Hawaii | Environmental issues in Hawaii

Hawaii's Bottle Bill, was passed by the Hawaii State Legislature and signed into law in 2002. Beginning Jan. 1, 2005, containers that have the 5-cent deposit mark can be redeemed for cash.

The Hawai'i Beverage Container Deposit Program, the formal name of the bottle bill, is adminisistered by the Hawai'i State Department of Health.

Begining July 1, 2005 large retailers in high density areas on the island of Oahu are required to provide redemption of the deposit for consumers unless an independent redemption center is established within a 2-mile radius of the retailer. Neighbor islands and small convenience stores are exempted from the redemption requirement, but may elect to do so voluntarily as a customer service. [1]

The 2005 Hawaii State Legislature improved the controversial state bottle bill by passing legislation calling for:

• the providing of grants and rebates of up to $6 million to help retail stores and organizations install reverse vending machines before the end of this year.
• the allowing of redemption of crushed cans and plastic bottles.
• the requiring beverage bar code information for reverse vending machines in a timely manner.

State Rep. Brian Schatz said, in November 2005, he would introduce a bill in the 2006 Legislature amending the state's Deposit Beverage Container program to require stores to redeem HI-5 labeled containers. [2]

Also in November 2005, the State Auditor, Marion Higa released a report critical of the Lingle administration's poor implementation and inadequate accounting of the recycling law. [3]

External Links

• Redemption Centers (State of Hawaii)
• Bottle bill supporter worries state won’t be ready -- The Sierra Club says Lingle is dragging her feet with the law Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9-23-04.
• Isle bottle bill fees start up, but refunds must wait -- Redemption centers will open across the state on Jan. 1 Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 10-29-04.
• State must do its best to support bottle bill THE ISSUE: The measure's 6-cent deposit fee will kick in on Monday. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 10-30-04.
• School challenge kicks off bottle bill -- The public schools that recycle the most containers will win cash prizes Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 11-07-04.
• Container law should be fair to counties THE ISSUE: House Republicans want counties to take on the duties for the beverage container law. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 12-27-04.
• Recycling gets off to brisk start – Consumers endure inconvenience to redeem drink-container deposits Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1-4-04.
• More sites needed to benefit most from recycling law THE ISSUE: The state has opened centers where consumers can return beverage containers and get back deposits. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1-6-04.
• Redemption bottleneck Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1-7-04.
• Getting on the recycling bandwagon -- Returning bottles provides many families with walking- around money Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1-10-05.
• Official criticizes bottle bill -- A state official details consumer complaints about redemption Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2-2-05.
• State is obliged to enforce bottle bill THE ISSUE: A Health Department official says the state's new program isn't working. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2-4-05.
• Leone, Diana. Bottle bill change unlikely -- Only one measure among 16 to alter or repeal the recycling program is alive in the Legislature Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2-20-05)
• Star-Bulletin staff. Hearings discuss recycling law -- Officials look for ways to improve the rules to manage the program Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 3-20-05.
• Leone, Diana. Store bottle returns pushed -- Tax credits to set up redemption centers are being considered Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 4-10-05.
• Leone, Diana. Foodland trying out redemption centers -- The recycling spots will let customers get vouchers for cash Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 4-20-05.
• Leone, Diana. Waiting Game -- The state’s ambitious HI-5 recycling project is a hassle for Hawaii residents who participate Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 5-9-05.
• Leone, Diana. Snafus delay curbside recycling again -- A contract bid is challenged as Council members put the brakes on funding Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 6-4-05.
• Leone, Diana. Advocates hope to require markets to redeem containers Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 11-11-05.
• Gov’s opposition to Bottle Bill reflected in audit findings Poinography!, 11-29-05.
• Time to feed the bottle beast THE ISSUE: The state auditor has criticized the Lingle administration's operation of bottle recycling. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 12-2-05.
• 70% of HI-5 containers redeemed, state says Hawaii sees rise in recycling By Diana Leone Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2-8-06.
• Roig, Suzanne. Beverage container fee on track to rise Honolulu Advertiser, May 17, 2006.
• Apana, Lehia and Tanji, Melissa. New weight to be given for HI-5 Maui News, November 2006.
• TenBruggencate, Jan. HAWAI'I'S ENVIRONMENT: Cash not only benefit of recycling Honolulu Advertiser, January 8, 2007.
• HI-5 centers should be accurate, efficient Honolulu Advertiser", March 10, 2008.