Increased recycling
Since the inception of the bottle law, beverage container redemption rates have steadily risen from 20.4% in January, 2005, to 85.4% in November, 2005. As of July, 2005, redemption rates have been consistently high, fluctuating between 73% and 85%. Clearly, the public’s participation in recycling has increased and been maintained thanks to the deposit program.

New business opportunities
Rolloffs Hawaii, Inc. created a new division in direct response to the bottle law. Prior to the 5¢ deposit program, Rolloffs’ recycling activities were limited to hauling for their commercial accounts. Today, Rolloffs offers community mobile redemption services statewide and is seeking new redemption center locations to meet rising customer demand.

Charitable Ventures, Inc. was founded in February 2005 to facilitate fundraising for non-profits and schools using the deposit program. Charitable Ventures works with approximately 40 non-profits and over 60 businesses and condominiums on O‘ahu. Since February, 2005, they have redeemed over 2.7 million containers, providing non-profits with over $80,000.

Reduced litter
While hard data is still forthcoming from the 2005 “Get the Drift and Bag It!” event, anecdotal evidence exists for decreasing bottle and can litter on Hawaii’s beaches and natural areas statewide. Other states offer compelling cases: the Ocean Conservancy reports that beverage container litter made up only 2.5% of the litter on Michigan’s beaches compared to 12.7% nationally and 19% in non-deposit states. After the State of Maine expanded its bottle bill to include non-carbonated beverages, the Center for Marine Conservation measured a 30% reduction in bottle and can litter on the state’s beaches.

Less opala in the landfill
In 2005, Hawaii’s bottle law kept over half a billion bottles and cans out of the islands’ landfills – good news, considering that many of our landfills are nearly full. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that bottles and cans covered under Hawaii’s bottle law comprise 4.6% of municipal solid waste.

Rolloffs Hawaii’s refuse collection drivers report a significant drop in bottles and cans in rubbish bins along their routes, particularly at low income housing developments.

Increased employment
In addition to new business opportunities, established companies in the recycling industry have witnessed a dramatic growth in employment rates and expansion of services. Reynolds Recycling grew from less than 50 employees in 2004 to approximately 200 employees currently. Rolloffs Hawaii grew from approximately 15 to 20 employees in 2004 to roughly 30 employees today, while opening 20 redemption centers and purchasing 60 reverse vending machines.

Fundraising for schools, churches, and charities
Hawaii’s bottle law has provided an easy way for schools and charities statewide to raise funds. In January, 2005, the Sierra Club raised $7,500 in tsunami disaster relief funds through an old-fashioned bottle and can drive. Students and groups raise funds while they help reduce the amount of trash in Hawaii’s landfills.

Bottle Law Turns 1!