*Integrated Resources & Solid Waste Management Plan Update (with Appendices) - Dec 2009

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4.0 RECYCLING, BIOCONVERSION, AND MARKETS 4.3.1.2 HI -5 Beverage Container Deposit Program The State of Hawai'i enacted a new Beverage Container Deposit Program in late 2004. Otherwise known as the "Bottle Bill," a 5a redeemable deposit is placed on each beverage container, as defined under the law. Consumers may then return the container to redeem their 5a at any redemption center. Other details of the Program include the following: • A U non - refundable container fee is assessed to support the costs of recycling and program administration. • Redeemable containers are marked with a "HI 5a" or " Hawai'i 5a" label. • The container size is limited to 68 ounces (2 liters) or smaller. • The beverage type consists of non - alcoholic drinks (soda, water, coffee, tea, juice) and limited alcoholic drinks (beer, malt beverages, mixed spirits, and mixed wine). • The container material includes aluminum, glass, bi- metal, and plastic ( #1 and #2 only). The annual redemption rate for the fiscal year 2008 (FY 07 -08) in the state of Hawai'i (June 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008) was at 72 percent, which represents approximately 680 million recycled beverage containers. This was a 4- percent increase from the prior year rate of 68 percent. In FY 08, Hawai'i County's HI -5 estimated annual redemption rate reached an all time high of 90 percent, up from 81 percent last years. Redemption Centers report that approximately 116 million containers were redeemed on the Big Island last year. Hawai'i County provides Certified Redemption Centers (CRCs) for consumers to redeem their HI -5 beverage containers at select recycling and transfer stations (see Exhibit 4 -3 for locations). Additionally, Hawai'i County offers free recycling bins for collection of HI -5 beverage containers special events. The recycling bins consist of an easy -to- transport, lightweight steel frame that uses a clear bag to hold HI -5 beverages. Reservations are required and the County makes the recycling containers available on a first come, first serve basis. 4.3.1.3 Green Waste Mulching and DropofP Opportunities Hawai'i County designated sites at the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill (SHSL) and Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station for processing green waste and untreated wood pallets. The Kea'au Recycling and Transfer Station also includes a roll -off bin for residents to deposit green waste; the green waste is then hauled to a mulching facility located at the SHSL site for processing. The County contracts with a private business to process the green waste into mulch for planting, gardening, and farming applications. Consumers, including both residents and commercial entities, may drop off their green waste and pick up mulch at the Hilo Landfill and Kealakehe locations. Currently, dropoff is free and the mulch is made available for consumers at no charge. Future actions planned by the County involve soliciting proposals from private companies to operate island -wide green waste recycling collection sites. The proposed green waste collection sites would be conveniently located at or in close proximity to current recycling 1 The redemption rate is estimated using data from the Department of Health on the number of deposit containers redeemed on the Big Island from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 and the County's estimates on number of deposit containers sold based on defacto population. 4 -6 December 2009