The Hawaii State Department of Health announced in a press release that seven recipients will get a total of $3 million to help establish new certified redemption centers and improve convenience for the state’s Deposit Beverage Container Program. One of
The Hawaii State Department of Health announced in a press release that seven recipients will get a total of $3 million to help establish new certified redemption centers and improve convenience for the state’s Deposit Beverage Container Program.
One of the recipients, Goodwill Industries will open six additional certified sites (locations to be determined) allowing consumers to redeem deposit beverage containers and donate household items all in one trip.
The other recipients (Reynolds, Inc. and RRR Recycling Services Hawaii) will use the grants to enhance their existing state-certified redemption services.
Since redemption centers began redeeming “Hi 5” containers on Jan. 1, 2005 certified site operators have been working to better serve their customers, bringing in as many as 60 million containers a month statewide. Act 228, which went into effect last year, made these funds available in an effort to expand and improve redemption service to the public and help raise recycling rates.
Award amounts will vary based on the service being provided.
Awardees were selected from competing companies through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
“Improved customer convenience, customer service, processing improvements and ability to serve high demand areas were some of the criteria used to select awardees,” said DOH Deputy Director Laurence Lau, in the release.
“The goal is more convenient locations for comsumers to recycle their containers and get their nickels back,” he said, in the release.
Reynolds Recycling plans to implement an intergrated communication system. It is hoped the system will speed up customer refunds and safeguard against site closures. The new technology will link Reynolds’ main facility to all certified redemption center sites allowing a faster response to problems such as low funds or full containers and the result for consumers will be fewer site closures. Another benefit will be improved safety through a direct link to 911 emergency services for fire, police, or medical assistance if needed.
New base yard equipment will increase the company’s capacity to collect and move recyclable materials. This will help to prevent closures from overloaded sites. Reynolds’ increased capacity to collect, process and ship deposit beverage containers will help operations run more quickly and allow them to handle more consumers material in a reduced amount of time thereby improving convenience.
For more information on the State’s Deposit Beverage Container Program visit: www.hawaii.gov/health or www.hi5deposit.com.
