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