States with container deposit systems report phenomenal reductions in litter. Nationwide, bottles and cans represent 40 - 60% of total litter and 19% of beach litter. Locally, Hawaii State DBEDT reports that 20,000 beverage containers were picked up in just four hours during the annual "Get the Drift and Bag It" cleanup.

The beverage industry opposition has testified that container litter is an insignificant portion of overall litter.


Try telling that to local volunteer groups who go out year after year to cleanup streams, beaches, parks and roadsides around the islands.

Increase Recycling

States with container deposits average 80% recovery -- the highest in the country.

In comparison, the national recovery rate for beverage containers is 38%, curbside collections systems achieve 40-60%, and Oahu's existing drop-off bins are hoping to get 20% with the program expansion.