Counties Give 100% Support to Bottle Bill

For Immediate Release
March 11, 2002

Contact: Suzanne Jones, 768-3420

When was the last time the counties were unanimous on an issue?

As the debate over a beverage container deposit system for Hawaii progresses, the support from the counties has become even more resolved.

Initially, it was the counties' solid waste and recycling experts who collaborated with the state on drafting the bill (HB1256) and provided endless testimony on how a beverage container deposit system would benefit Hawaii with increased recycling and reduced litter. Now, as the Legislature reopens the discussion for a second session, it has the full support of all the mayors and all the county councils to pass this bill. All of the mayors have said aye. All of the county councils have resolved to include support for the bill in the HSAC packet of requests to the state legislature. (Maui passed it out of the Committee of the Whole with a unanimous vote; final full council vote is scheduled for March 15.) HSAC is the Hawaii State Association of Counties and is comprised of representatives from each of the county councils.

It has become more and more apparent that this is indeed the correct direction for our islands.

The long-term success of deposit systems has been clearly demonstrated in 10 states, including New York, New Jersey, California and Oregon, where the system has been operational for 30 years. Recycling rates range between 70% and 95%, and beverage container litter virtually disappears. Everyone would like to see Hawaii benefit from these kinds of results.

The deposit system proposed for Hawaii has been well designed, and the counties are convinced that it will be more cost-efficient than any other strategy they could employ. The recent independent national study conducted by BEAR (Businesses and Environmentalists Allied for Recycling), and a team of expert national consultants, indicates this as well, and when BEAR was asked to take a closer look at Hawaii’s bill in particular, their evaluation was that our proposed system was progressive in its design and contained all the key elements for efficiency. They went further to comment on how these forward-thinking design elements also have addressed many of the concerns raised by the beverage industry.

The counties are agreed that it’s time to pass a deposit bill for Hawaii, and this position is further backed by local environmental organizations, the recycling industry, the League of Women Voters and the public. We have an opportunity to establish Hawaii as an environmental leader. As the custodians of paradise, that role seems almost mandatory. So, when do our legislators plan to move on this bill? It's waiting in conference committee for them to take action.