Posted on: Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Bottle returns surge after 2 slow months
By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer
The number of bottles returned under Hawai'i's recycling law jumped fivefold in March, indicating consumer acceptance of the controversial new program may be growing.
The state paid back $1.59 million in March to consumers who returned bottles for the 5-cent deposit per container. In each of the previous two months the state paid out only about $300,000. The state collects about $2.5 million per month in deposits.
The low redemption rate in January and February, the first two months of the program, had prompted criticism from some consumers who said the deposit was more of a tax since it was so difficult to return bottles.
"We are pleased the numbers are moving in a good direction," said Laura Lott, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health, which administers the bottle redemption program. "We're asking people to change how they do things. Change is hard."
Lott said the increase may be attributed to the state opening more recycling centers and offering to pay more for bottles recycled on a per pound basis.
$1.59 million
$2.5 million
Source: Department of Health In addition, the hours at some redemption centers were extended in March and more mobile recycling centers were added, Lott said.
Consumers had complained about long lines and a lack of convenient hours at redemption centers.
While the state's attempts to make recycling easier may have contributed to the jump in March redemptions, they haven't impressed all consumers.
Steven Newell of Hawai'i Kai said he has tried three times to redeem containers at a redemption center at the Hawaii Kai Park and Ride without success.
"Once they said they were full, and twice they were out of money," he said. "My experience is it's not getting better."
The state hopes soon to address another complaint — that aluminum and plastic containers cannot be crushed before they are redeemed. That rule likely will change under a new bill that is moving quickly through the Legislature.
Satoru Hijirida, a retired medical technologist in Kane'ohe, who redeemed about 400 Diet Pepsi cans in March, is looking forward to that change.
"It would be nice if you could smash the cans," said Hijirida. "It would be easier storage wise."
Regardless, Hijirida intends to continue returning his cans. "I don't want to lose my money," he said.
Hawai'i consumers started paying the 5-cent deposit and a 1-cent administration fee on eligible containers Nov. 1. Since Jan. 1 they have been able to get back their deposit by taking containers to the recycling centers.
Even with the improvement in March redemptions, the state has paid back only about 10 percent of the deposits it has collected so far. The state has also raised $4.4 million through Feb. 28 via the 1-cent fee for administrative costs associated with running the program.
Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.
The number of recycling centers — where bottles must be returned to get the deposit — has more than doubled since January to 56. Last month the state also began paying 83 cents per pound for redeemable plastic containers, up from 60 cents, and 12 cents per pound for eligible glass containers, up from 10 cents.
$300,000
Approximate container deposits state paid back monthly in January and February
Deposits paid back in March
Approximate deposits state collects each month
