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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0692.000 2002-2004 SY OF H 40J~i 1{~'' L~+~k. Barbara Bell Director harry Kim Mnyor •.n~~. - - - ~ ~ Nelson Ilo . " 'rF ar'w~'P Deputy Director C~>xixnf~r of ~ix.ftrttit DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 25 Aupuni Slreet, Room 210 • Hila, Hawaii 96720-4252 (808) 961-8083 • Faz (808) 961-8086 c-~ c., i7 ` July 9, 2004 O; , c t_ r- ' - Mr. Joe Reynolds, Chair and Mr. Mike Tulang, Vice-Chair ~ and Members of the Hawaii County Council Parks and Environmental Management Committee 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 ~v Subject: State Bottle Bill -c Dear Messrs. Reynolds, Tulang and Council Members, The Department of Environmental Management would like to provide a briefing to the Committee on Parks and the Environment at the August 3, 2004 meeting regarding the current status of the state's Bottle Bill. Implementation of the State's Bottle Bill is approaching and starting January 1, 2005 an additional $0.05 paid on each eligible container can be redeemed. Consumers get back the nickel when the glass bottle, plastic container, or aluminum can is returned to a State permitted redemption center uncrushed. All material collected under this law must then be crushed and processed for recycling. Up until the end of June 2004, there was some uncertainty regarding this beverage container deposit law and whether it might be amended or repealed. We are now happy to report that the necessary amendments to the law took effect, the implementation date remains January 1, 2004, and we are now able to develop a network of redemption centers to service the public. As this law is anticipated to significantly increase the number of beverage containers diverted from our solid waste stream. In general, bottle bills in other states have resulted in minimizing roadside litter, providing financial impetus to recycle, and encouraging clubs, organizations and events to self-fund activities through collection and redemption of eligible containers. All glass, plastic (type #1), and aluminum cans with 64 fluid ounces or less of tea, coffee, juice, soda, water and beer will now be labeled and eligible for redemption. Since the nickel refund will be passed on to the consumer as a higher price at the point of sale, it is anticipated that most people will want to collect the additional nickel they expended and will recycle the containers if redemption is convenient. Making redemption convenient is where the County can assist in making this legislation successful in its intent. Thank you for your consideration of this request. ~/'r? ` ~ Comm. No. 2 Barbara Bell Ref. To: DIRECTOR Ref. Uate~11_I _1_~.~Q(~d.- cc: Mayor Harry Kim; Lono Tyson, SWD Chief; Eileen O'Hora-Weir, Recycling Coordinator llawai'i County is rsn equal apporluniry provider and employer.