Gathering Places
Gathering Places
Beverage industry’s
anti-bottle-bill campaign
distorts the truthThe state Legislature has heard overwhelming support to pass a bottle bill for Hawaii. It has the full support of the counties -- all four mayors, all four county councils and the solid waste and recycling agencies -- and the state departments of Health and Environmental Quality Control, the EPA, the entire environmental community, the League of Women Voters, the recycling industry and the public.
With such strong backing, it seems that the decision would be clear, until you understand that the beverage industry is offering lawmakers a different argument.
The industry contends that the beverage container deposit system is too costly, forcing higher prices on the consumer. It has even called it a hidden tax, a money grab to fund government programs. But members of the public have testified that they are fully aware of the program's costs -- 7 cents per container (5 cents refundable and 2 cents to run the system) -- and they think it's a good deal.
For 2 cents a container, or about $12 per person per year, they are assured of high recycling rates and phenomenal reductions in litter.
The industry says curbside collection will have higher recovery at a lower cost. National and local studies do not support its claims, and as more single-serve beverages are consumed away from home, curbside does nothing to address recovery in these areas, neither will it reduce litter. A local opinion poll showed 70 percent support for the bottle bill over curbside recycling.
The beverage-retail industry says it is concerned for the burden placed on the retailer to take back the empties, claiming it will cause unsanitary conditions in storage areas and be impossible for small stores with little space. The bottle bill exempts the small retailer and encourages establishment of independent redemption centers to remove the take-back responsibilities from retailers. Furthermore, the state will be given the resources to help set up redemption centers in rural communities.
A conference committee will work on the bottle bill (HB 1256) this week. We hope the discussion will be about setting the fee and deposit amounts, not about modifying the deposit system itself, but anything is possible.
In these last days of decision-making, the industry is stepping up its pressure.
A conference bill has been proposed that abandons the deposit and sets a half-cent advance disposal fee (ADF) on all beverage containers, which would be distributed to counties to support their recycling efforts. This comes straight from the beverage industry.
In effect, it barely increases the amount that has been collected during the past 10 years in the glass ADF, currently at 1.5 cents per container, which has not been sufficient to increase glass recycling rates and provides no economic incentive (a deposit or buy-back value) to promote high recovery rates or address litter.
The industry has been increasing its paid advertising in print and on the radio with a message that misleads the public and distorts the facts.
I've got to call them on bad form. As it delivers its message, the industry masquerades as the "Hawaii Citizens for Comprehensive Recycling." Is the industry concerned that the public might perceive its ads as self-serving if it puts its name on it?
I think Hawaii's citizens are seeing through to the real issue -- a bottle bill will increase recycling and reduce litter for 2 cents a container plus a deposit that they get back. But it's imperative that we ensure a fair and open debate as our legislators decide on this.
The long-term success of deposit systems has been clearly demonstrated in 10 states, including New York, California and Oregon. Recycling rates range between 70 and 95 percent, and container litter has virtually disappeared.
Everyone would like to see Hawaii benefit from these kinds of results. The proposed deposit system has been well designed, and the counties are convinced that it will be more cost-efficient than any other strategy we could employ.
So many agree that it's time to pass a deposit bill here. We have an opportunity to establish Hawaii as an environmental leader. As the custodians of paradise, that role seems almost mandatory.
Suzanne Jones is the recycling coordinator for the City and County of Honolulu. For more information on island refuse and recycling programs and the bottle bill, visit www.opala.org