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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, January 6, 2005

BUREAUCRACY BUSTER

How clean should the cans be?

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. Is it true that the new state-certified redemption centers for bottles and cans will accept clean containers but that doesn't mean you have to wash them? I'm not sure I understand.

A. That's what Reynolds Recycling president Terry Telfer said. He said the rule that the containers be "clean" means no liquid in them, no dirt on them, that kind of thing. It doesn't mean washing each thoroughly, he said. But some people rinse them to keep bugs away and reduce the smell while they store the containers.

Q. I still don't know where to go to get back those nickel deposits for bottles and cans. Can you help?

A. You can call the state at 586-4226. They were listed in Friday's Advertiser and can be found here.

The state site lists them at www.hawaii.gov/health. The city has more Honolulu information at www.opala.org.

And www.reynoldsrecycling.com lists that company's centers.

Q. I live in the Dole Street area near an abandoned house, which I am told is owned by the state Department of Transportation. My neighbors and I have complained for months that the dilapidated house is a safety hazard full of rats and mosquitoes. The state keeps telling us the house will be demolished but it doesn't happen. What's going on here?

A. DOT spokesman Scott Ishikawa said the department owns the house, which was apparently bought when the freeway was built through that area.

He said the state has hired a contractor to demolish the building as it also did with several structures that were bought in the area to make way for the H-1 widening.

However, Ishikawa said, the law requires a plan to remove and dispose of asbestos or other hazardous materials if any are found.

He said that the plan must be approved by the state Department of Health and that work has been progressing.

"Hopefully, we can begin the demolition work by the end of the month," he said.

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If you have a question or a problem and need help getting to the right person, you can reach The Bureaucracy Buster one of three ways.

Write to:

The Bureaucracy Buster
The Honolulu Advertiser
605 Kapi'olani Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813

E-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com

Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message. Be sure to give us your name and daytime telephone number in case we need more information.