Bill > HB786

This bill modifies Hawaii's deposit beverage container recycling laws by expanding the ways the Department of Health can use funds from the Deposit Beverage Container Deposit Special Fund, including explicitly allowing for the deployment of reverse vending machines (automated machines that accept and process recyclable containers). The bill reduces exemptions for beverage dealers from operating redemption centers by narrowing the circumstances under which dealers can be excused from maintaining a redemption center, such as reducing the distance from a certified redemption center from two miles to one-half mile and removing certain hardship exemptions. Additionally, the bill allows for the establishment of regional centers for refillable beverage container redemption, but stipulates that these centers cannot replace existing redemption requirements. The legislation also maintains existing requirements for businesses selling deposit beverages to collect and properly recycle used containers, and requires dealers without a redemption center to post signs indicating the nearest redemption center locations. These changes aim to improve the efficiency and accessibility of beverage container recycling in Hawaii by expanding infrastructure and reducing potential loopholes in the current system.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=786&year=2026