Question: What happens to the beverage containers that one disposes of in the blue “recycle” cart? Are they “redeemed”?
Answer: Yes, they are redeemed by the city.
“All material in the blue cart is collected and sent to RRR Recycling Services, who is under contract with the city. The material is sorted and yes, the HI-5 beverage containers are sorted into different containers. Each HI-5 material (glass, plastic and aluminum) is scaled and either baled or stockpiled. HI-5 material weights are recorded and sent to the state Department of Health for redemption and a processing fee,” said Markus Owens, spokesman for the city Department of Environmental Services.
People on Oahu’s three-cart disposal routes who toss HI-5 containers into the blue cart (designated for mixed recyclables) skip the task of bringing the empties to a redemption site but lose their cash deposits in the process.
The deposit is now a nickel per container at purchase but would double under a bill pending in the state Senate, which you can read at 808ne.ws/SB3099.
Q: What about the blue garbage cans marked “recycling only” or “bottles and cans only” that you see at some schools?
A: In general, HI-5 items would be redeemed, either directly by the institution or by whatever company or agency picks up its refuse. HI-5 items should not be headed for the landfill.
Q: Auwe! The experts say we should have two weeks’ worth of water on hand in case of disaster. So before the Legislature jacks up the cost of bottled water by doubling the deposit fee, they should think about how that would hurt consumers.
A: Kokua Line has heard from several readers upset about the proposed increase. Some said it would hit seniors on fixed incomes the hardest because they would pay more upfront for bottled water and other HI-5 beverages and have the most trouble getting to a redemption center to return bottles and cans and retrieve their deposits in cash.
Another noted that audits raised questions about the viability of certain recycling programs, and said no fee increase should be considered until management problems are fixed. Others wondered where unclaimed deposits go, and others couldn’t believe the redemption rate was so low (67 percent, down from 78.7 percent in 2009, according to the bill) because they don’t see redeemable bottles and cans littering the streets.
We did hear from one person who supports doubling the deposit as a way to discourage people from buying bottled water, which contributes to the proliferation of plastic marine debris.
So, clearly this topic is of interest. The recent audits do provide relevant, detailed information. Find the state’s “Financial and Program Audit of the Deposit Container Program” at 808ne.ws/bottleaudit and the city’s comprehensive “Audit of the City’s Recycling Program” at 808ne.ws/cityrec.
Mahalo
On a very rainy day, I caught the bus home. When I got out at the bottom of our hill, there was a river running down the street. I was hesitant to climb up the hill to my house, so I took cover under a neighbor’s overhang. After a few minutes the mail carrier appeared. When he saw what my situation was, he parked, took me by the arm and escorted me home. Mahalo nui loa. — From a grateful 89-year-old woman
Mahalo
A belated “thank you” to the kind animal lover who found my dog wandering at Manoa Valley District Park on Feb. 18 on a wet and stormy afternoon. Help was sought from the Hawaiian Humane Society, and because my dog had a microchip, I was contacted immediately. I would also like to thank the Humane Society for their great staff of employees. — Forever grateful Manoa resident
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
