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Making cents out of
cans and bottles

Question: They didn't count the cans we turned in at the Reynolds Recycling redemption center, so we were shorted about 40 cents per bag. The state said it was going to give us back 5 cents a can, but now we're being paid by the pound. Who's checking to make sure we're getting back what we're supposed to get back? What can the state do to make the recyclers count the cans or have them change the price per pound? What happens to the deposit money for people who don't recycle? Also, they tell us to rinse the containers, but we're also told we should conserve water! (Combined questions)

Answer: Many consumers have been surprised to find that in many instances they are being paid by weight rather than per container to make the redemption process go faster.

Already, because of complaints, the process has been changed slightly.

We asked the state Department of Health, overseer of the recycling/redemption program, to explain why recyclers are allowed to reimburse people by weight, and to clarify other parts of the new program.

The Health Department, by law, determined that refunds could be based on weight rather than numbers, said spokeswoman Laura Lott.

It accepted a recommendation by the state's Beverage Container Task Force that Hawaii adopt the weight standards long used in California: One pound was the equivalent of 30 aluminum containers, 12 plastic containers, eight bimetal containers and two glass containers.

For aluminum containers, the pound rate is $1.50 because 30 cans x 5 cents = $1.50, while the pound rate for glass would be 10 cents: 2 bottles x 5 cents = 10 cents.

By law, Lott said, people with 50 or fewer containers can request a hand count.

However, "An agreement is now in place with Reynolds (the largest recycling redeemer) that allows loads of 100 containers or less to be hand counted," she said. Consumers are advised to take smaller loads per trip to redemption centers if they want a hand count, or to use reverse vending machines.

Only certified redemption centers receive the handling fee from the state, which is 2 cents per container on Oahu and 3 cents per container on neighbor islands, "based on the weight conversion," Lott said.

On top of that, recyclers will send invoices to the state twice a month. The state will verify the numbers of containers claimed based on the tracking of materials and shipping documents before making payment, which is either by weight or container.

"So recyclers aren't getting an extra nickel by weighing containers," Lott said.

Containers must be empty, and rinsing is suggested -- not required -- for sanitation reasons.

The nonrefundable handling fee, plus unredeemed deposits, go into a special fund to operate the recycling program. The projected operating budget for the 2005 fiscal year is $22 million. The fund now has $8 million.

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