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Maui retailer first in state to offer recyclingAloha Shell and Ilima Shell stations now have reverse vending machines providing customers nickel refunds for empty bottles and cans News Release KAHULUI - A Maui gas station operator decided that giving customers what they want might just be good for business. Paul Hanada, operator of Aloha Shell and Ilima Shell stations in Kahului, is the first retailer in the state to become a certified redemption center under Hawaii's new bottle deposit law. The recycling law, which took effect January 1st, does not require retailers to provide the 5-cent refunds on glass, plastic, and aluminum bottles and cans, but stores can become certified redemption centers or contract with recyclers who are certified. The Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter, has been critical of grocery stores and retailers choosing not to participate in the recycling law. "Kudos to Paul Hanada and his stores for doing the right thing," said Jeff Mikulina, Director of the Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter. "We wish his customers many happy returns." Hanada's stores have installed reverse vending machines that accept empty deposit containers and redeem the cash value for the containers. The machines are available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provide a count of each bottle and/or can inserted into the machine. "The many benefits of the bottle law - cleaner beaches, less landfill waste, more recycling-will increase with more convenient and accessible redemption centers," said Mikulina. "We certainly hope other retailers and grocery stores statewide follow suit and participate in Hawaii's recycling program." Hanada's Aloha Shell Station is located at 110 S. Puunene Avenue, Kahului, and his Ilima Shell Station is at 137 Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului. # # #
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| © 2005 City & County of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services. | |||||||||||||||
