Hearings discuss
recycling law

Officials look for ways to improve
the rules to manage the program

People who are unhappy with the way Hawaii's new recycling law is working can offer suggestions for improvements during a series of public hearings statewide April 13-21.

Hearing locations The hearings, all scheduled at 6 p.m., will be: Big Island April 13, Aupuni Center Conference Room, 25 Aupuni St., Hilo; April 14, 6 p.m., King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, Islander Room, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona. Oahu April 19, Washington Intermediate School Cafeteria, 1633 S. King St., Honolulu. Kauai April 20, Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, Kauai Board Room, 4191 Hardy St., Lihue. Maui April 21, Lihikai Elementary School Cafeteria, 335 S. Papa Ave., Kahului. On the Net: » The proposed rules can be seen on the Department of Health Web site at www.hawaii.gov/health.

The state Department of Health is holding the hearings to discuss administrative rules for the Beverage Container Deposit law. The law, passed by the Legislature in 2002 and amended last year, contains rules scheduled to expire March 31.

The hearings are only to obtain comments and suggestions to improve the rules to manage the program, since many features of the existing program are mandated by law and can only be changed by the Legislature, according to department officials.

"We know many consumers have experienced frustration with the current beverage container program," said state Health Director Chiyome Fukino. "The administration is working to improve these rules to make the program more efficient and manageable."

The proposed rules would make it easier for companies and others to become certified redemption centers and guide the state in contracting with the counties or private recyclers to set up centers in remote areas, according to department officials.

They said they are trying to improve operations, including ensuring that people are paid full deposit value on recycled containers. The department is conducting testing formulas used to compute the number of containers per pound when items are weighed.

The administrative rules can't address some issues, such as the stores not having to take back the containers they sell, that are written into the law, officials said.

The law also must be changed before redemption centers can accept crushed cans or crushed plastic containers, they said.

The Lingle administration has said the container law is poorly written and has called for counties to develop comprehensive programs that can recycle all types of solid waste, including paper and yard clippings.

It said the present operating arrangements for the container deposit program will remain in place until the new administrative rules take effect.