Updated on: Thursday, February 24, 2004
Common questions about recycling law
| • | State readies for kickoff of bottle law |
| • | Getting your deposit back: The recycling centers |
Advertiser Staff
Q. What's the reason for all these new fees and deposits on sodas, beer and other drinks?
A. We are seeing the effect of the Hawai'i state Legislature's passing the "bottle bill," which requires a refundable deposit on most glass, aluminum and plastic beverage containers. The nickel refund per container is an incentive for people to recycle their empty containers, instead of throwing them away.
Q. After Jan. 1, can I get money back for all the cans and bottles I saved this year?
A. No. You can get your nickel back only on a container that has a deposit label printed on the container. Some read "Hawaii 5¢" or "HI 5¢."
Q. Can I crush the cans?
A. No. You can get the deposit back only on cans and bottles that are not crushed.
Q. What if I take a whole bag of cans — some labeled, some not — to the redemption center? Will the people there sort them?
A. No. They're not required to sort. You would probably save yourself some time by sorting ahead of time into what has a deposit and what simply gets recycled.
Q. When I took my cans in this year, I got some money back based on what the recycler will get for the material. Now, I'll get back money I already paid. Will I still get the additional money?
A. Probably not, according to the state and recyclers. Most states that have a deposit law don't provide for additional material fees, but competing recyclers could offer that as an incentive.
Q. What if stores sell unlabeled beverages after the deadline?
A. The law says that no unlabeled beverage containers can be sold after the deadline. But state officials said they want to work with retailers to try to make the new program work, rather than fine them during the transition.
Q. Is the nickel deposit taxed?
A. No. It is not taxable.
Q. What do I do if I am charged a deposit for a container without a label?
A. Know what you're buying at the cash register, then bring it to the attention of the clerk. If you can't get resolution there, take it to the store manager, officials said.
Q. How will I know where to find a redemption center?
A. We have listed the latest information on all redemption centers below. You can also check on the Web, www.hawaii.gov/health or call 586-4226.
 |
| Getting your deposit back: The recycling centers
Certified redemption centers as of Feb. 22. Hours of operation are subject to change. 1. 'Aiea 2. Campbell Industrial Park 3. 'Ewa Beach 4. Kailua-Enchanted Lake* 5. Hale'iwa* 6. Hawai'i Kai 7. Kalama 8. Kahuku 9. Kailua 10. Kalihi 11. Kalihi 12. Kalihi 13. Kane'ohe 14. Kapolei 15. Kunia 16. Mililani 17. Mililani Mauka 18. Mo'ili'ili 19. Nanakuli 20. Pearl City 21. Sand Island 22. Wahiawa 23. Wai'anae 24. Waipahu 25. Waimanalo *O'ahu sites with reverse vending machines. More are planned.
O'ahu mobile redemtion center Locations as of Feb. 9. Times are for February and March only. • Times Supermarket McCully • Times Supermarket Kahala • Times Supermarket Beretania • Windward Mall (Kaneohe) • KMCB Hawaii-Base Exchange • Leilehua High School • University of Hawai'i • Waipahu Town Center NEIGHBOR ISLANDS MAUI Ha'iku Maui County Drop Box Recycling Center by Haiku Community Center beside Ha'iku Elementary School at Hana Highway and Pauwela Road Kahului Recycling Center Maui County Drop Box Recycling Center Aloha Recycling Aloha Recycling Kihei Maui Kihei Drop Box Recycling Center Lahaina Recycling Center Makawao Maui County Drop Box Pu'unene Maui Disposal Material Recovery Facility Central Maui Baseyard Wailuku Maui Disposal Office KAUA'I Lihu'e Garden Island Disposal Nawiliwili Harbor Reynolds Recycling Lawa'i Garden Island Disposal Kapa'a Garden Island Disposal Kapahi Reynolds Recycling Princeville Garden Island Disposal LANA'I "Old Freight Yard," Lana'i City MOLOKA'I Recycle Molokai BIG ISLAND Hilo Atlas Recycling Hilo Transfer Station Monday, Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Kailua-Kona Atlas Recycling Near Kailua-Kona Transfer Station Kea'au Kea'au Transfer Station Waimea Waimea Transfer Station Waiohinu Transfer Station Keauhou Transfer Station Puako Transfer Station Big Island mobile redemtion center HAWI Kohala High School Waikoloa Waikolol Elementary PAHALA Ka'u High and Pahala Elementary NAALEHU Naalehu Elementary/Intermediate OCEANVIEW South Point U-Cart Laupahoehoe Old hospital/Veriphone HONOKAA Convienence Plus PAHOA New Pahoa Marketplace . |
