It's a common sight: People lugging empty cans and bottles to redemption centers to cash them in for a nickel apiece.

In their hands rests the success or failure of the state's 5-year-old HI-5 program; it's their dogged determination that gets recyclables through the system, easing pressure on landfills and natural resources.

So it's critical that the redemption centers serving them do their job accurately and efficiently. Likewise, state inspectors who regulate the centers must ensure the same.

A proposal to encourage that deserves support. It allows inspectors to issue on-the-spot field citations — of $150 or $300 — to centers that commit observed and easily verifiable violations of the regulations. The center would first get a warning, and be able to challenge the fine if issued.

Judging from customer complaints, common violations include: Refusing to count up to 200 containers when requested; not being open during stated operation hours; not inspecting containers for redemption eligibility; and not verifying the number of containers turned in.

It's hoped the plan will allow centers to fix these problems quicker and at less cost than the current, more complex, enforcement process.

That in turn would encourage more people to recycle their cans and bottles. Which, after all, is the whole point of the HI-5 program.