BOLSTERING RECYCLING RATES & REDUCING LITTER WITH A BOTTLE LAW

In 2002, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law a landmark beverage container nickel deposit program, popularly called the “Bottle Bill”. The bottle bill will establish a nickel deposit on beverage containers that consumers will redeem when they return containers to a redemption center. This economic incentive to recycle has an excellent track record in the 13 other states with similar legislation. The recycling rates for beverage containers in those states vary between 80%-90%. By implementing a bottle bill, Hawaii can significantly improve recycling of beverage containers and relieve some of the pressure on each island’s landfills. The bottle bill will also reduce litter on our beaches and streets.

Hawai‘i currently diverts from landfills only about 25% of the trash we generate. This 25% is far below the goal set by law of reaching a statewide wastestream diversion rate of 50% by 2000. After considerable debate over the past two years, the Legislature passed the bottle bill, one of the best proven policies to improve recycling rates.

The details of how the bottle bill will work are below:

• on January 1, 2005, the nickel deposit-redemption system will begin
• starting on October 1, 2002, the state will assess a 0.5 cent fee for each beverage container imported into the state
• funds collected will operate container redemption centers
• in some areas, retail stores will operate redemption centers.

I introduced the bottle bill in the 2001 legislative session and worked diligently for its eventual passage during the 2002 session. I introduced this measure because:

• Hawaii faces mounting waste disposal problems – the bottle bill is a proven, effective method to reduce litter and the amount of waste going to landfills

• it will more equitably distribute the burden and costs of waste disposal between government, businesses, and consumers

• the bottle bill will stimulate the recycling industry – studies have shown net gains in jobs in states with a bottle bill

• our streets and beaches will benefit from the reduction of beverage container litter

This was truly landmark legislation as no state has passed a bottle bill for over 13 years, primarily due to intense lobbying by the beverage industry. Locally, the beverage industry outspent supporters 7 to 1 trying to defeat this legislation. In the end, I am very proud that the Legislature heeded the overwhelming supportive will of the people and passed the bottle bill.

District 14, East & North Kauai

OTHER ARTICLES IN POSITION PAPERS SECTION

Bottle Bill
Land Banking
Renewable Energy
Gasoline Pricing
Hydrogen
State Parks Funding
Education