EDITORIAL
Bottle bill program is almost set to go

While there has been considerable debate over Hawai'i's new bottle return law and whether it will make much of a dent in our litter problem, the only way to know for sure is to see the law in action.

And now that Gov. Linda Lingle has — appropriately — dropped her administration's plans to challenge the law, it can go into effect Jan. 1, 2005.

Supporters of the new law say it will make a substantial dent in roadside litter and in the amount of recyclable materials finding their way into our overcrowded landfills.

Already, the state has collected some $2.7 million (from a half-cent fee on every aluminum and plastic drink container) that will be used to kick-start the program.

Eventually, there will be a six-cent deposit on every canned or bottled drink in Hawai'i. A nickel will be given back for every container turned in, with the other penny going to pay for program management.

While the recycling program does not go into high gear until Jan. 1, 2005, there is no reason why Island consumers should wait. Get into the recycling habit today. It is good for the environment.