"The Bottle Bill"

The State Department of Health announces the implementation of the first phase of the Hawaii Beverage Container Deposit Program. Act 176, or "The Bottle Bill" was signed into law by Governor Cayetano in June of this year.

Today, October 1^st, beverage distributors will begin paying a half-cent fee to the State on each eligible beverage container made or imported into the state. The money will be used to build a start-up fund in preparation for the program’s full implementation on January 1, 2005. At that time, residents will be refunded a 5 cent deposit on bottles and cans when the containers are returned for recycling.

Refunds will be made at redemption centers that will be located statewide.

The "Bottle Bill" Program will increase recycling rates and reduce litter through a system that is convenient to the public. The creation of this fund in Hawaii is a step towards joining ten other states with successful container deposit systems.

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