Hawaii Recyclers Struggle with Receiving Payments

Several published reports note that a number of beverage container recycling facilities in Hawaii are having a difficult time receiving reimbursement from the state through its container refund program.

The program came into law the first of this year, and several container recyclers say the Hawaii Department of Health, has failed to pay the $.05 per container deposit to the recycling companies. The DEH runs the program for the state.

According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Island Recycling and Atlas Recycling are both owed a significant amount of money. The Advertiser reports that Island Recycling is owed around $250,000, and is threatening to discontinue taking in containers unless the state agency reimburses the company.

Due to the Department of Health failing to pay Atlas, the company has closed six of its eight redemption centers for April. If the company receives payment for the money it is owed the company will reopen the six plants.

Under the program consumers pay 6 cents for each eligible container purchased. They get back 5 cents from recycling centers when the containers are redeemed and the state keeps 1 cent for administrative costs. The redemption centers receive 5 cents for each container taken in and on O'ahu another 2 cents per container to cover handling costs.