Hawaii doubles beverage container recycling

Honolulu, HI— The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) announced that the Deposit Beverage Container Program helped recycle over 77 million beverage containers during the month of June. This is more than double the 35,314,804 containers reported in May.

“The dramatic increase in recycled beverage containers is very encouraging. We are so glad that the Department’s public education efforts and work with recyclers and retailers are paying off,” said Laurence K. Lau, deputy director of Environmental Health. “We appreciate all the efforts of recyclers, retailers and the public to help increase recycling; the Department will continue to work with the community to find ways to improve the deposit program.”

From June 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005, state certified redemption centers reported:

• 73,362,256 deposit beverage containers redeemed for deposits
• 4,430,062 un-labeled containers were also brought in for recycling
• 77,792,318 containers turned in for recycling in Hawaii

Since January 1, 2005 more than 212 million containers have been turned in to redemption centers for recycling.

In addition, Governor Linda Lingle signed HB 1015 into law allowing the flattening of metal and plastic beverage containers for deposit redemption. Following the Governor’s signing, the bill became Act 206, which also exempts airlines and cruise ships with approved recycling programs from the requirements of the state’s deposit beverage container program.

Certified redemption centers are now accepting flattened or crushed metal and plastic deposit beverage containers. Flattened containers are weighed at redemption sites to determine deposit payment. Visit www.hawaii.gov/health for more information.