Recycling Trends - Hawai'i's Beverage Container Recycling Program

Hawaii’s Beverage Container Recycling Program Implementing a Deposit Beverage Container Law

How It Works • Places a deposit value on beverage containers.

• Consumers pay a deposit upon purchase of beverage containers.

• Consumers are refunded a deposit when they recycle their empty containers.

• Deposit works as an economic incentive to encourage consumers to recycle.

Why Have One? • Increases waste diversion and recycling • Reduces litter • Addresses beverages consumed away from home and those consumed by visitor population • Funded solely by beverage producers and consumers

Hawaii’s HI-5 Program Deposit:

5¢

refundable

Container Fee:

1.5 ¢ non-refundable

Beverages Covered:

Water, soda, beer, juice, sport drinks, wine coolers, mixes

Material:

Aluminum, bi-metal, glass, plastic (PET & HDPE)

Size:

Up to 68 fluid ounces

Excludes:

Milk, wine, spirits, dietary supplements

HI-5 Program Recycled

697 million

Sold

907 million

Redemption Rate

77%

Redemption Centers

117

FY 2012

Timeline Jun 2002

Bottle bill became law (Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2002)

Oct 2002

Distributors began paying .5¢ fee (plastic & metal containers)

Oct 2004

Distributors began paying 1¢ fee (glass containers enter program)

Nov 2004

Dealers allowed to charge deposit (ease transition from unlabeled to labeled containers)

Jan 2005

Program fully implemented (consumers begin to redeem containers for deposits)

Program Money Flow

Challenges - Program Start Manufacturers & Distributors Retailers Recycling Companies Bars & Restaurants Consumers

Manufacturers & Distributors • Labeling - transition from unlabeled to labeled beverage containers by January 1, 2005.

HI 5¢

Manufacturers & Distributors • Law amended to provide a transition period (2 months). Consumers could be charged the deposit beginning November 1, 2004 for labeled deposit beverage containers. • Stickers, laser jet text

Retailers • Labeling product already on store shelves • Deposit & fee charges - concerns with register systems, how to apply and show charges on customer receipts • Educating customers - posters and point-of-sale materials

Retailers • Requirements to establish certified redemption centers & exemptions • Reverse Vending Machines

Recycling Companies • Locating and opening sites • Coverage and competition • Rules for providing deposit returns • Segregated rates (weighing containers to determine refund value) • Training staff • Payment & reporting procedures

Redemption Centers

Bars & Restaurants • Handling of deposit beverage containers

Consumers • Where to take beverage containers for deposit return • How to recycle containers • Count limits • Weighing

Weighing For Refund

Providing Assistance • Outreach • Manufacturers, distributors, retailers • Hotels, bars, restaurants • Recycling companies • Counties • Compliance assistance • Marketing to public • Non-profits, community groups

More Information HI-5 Program Website:

www.hi5deposit.com

Bottle Bills:

www.bottlebill.org

Questions About Presentation: Email:

Jennifer Tosaki jenwebb@hawaii.rr.com