Honolulu, HI – Hawaii’s popular “bottle bill,” officially known as the Deposit Beverage Container Program, is poised for a significant update. A new bill, recently introduced and making its way through the legislature, proposes to double the deposit and refund value for eligible beverage containers from 5 cents to 10 cents. If passed, the change is slated to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The proposed legislation HB109 aims to incentivize recycling and reduce litter throughout the state. By increasing the financial incentive, lawmakers hope to see a greater participation rate in the existing deposit refund program. Currently, consumers pay a deposit on eligible beverage containers at the point of sale, and that deposit is refunded when the empty container is returned to a designated redemption center.
The bill amends several sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes related to the Deposit Beverage Container Program. Specifically, it revises sections 342G-105, 342G-110, 342G-111, and 342G-112, replacing the “5 cents” refund value with “10 cents” throughout the text. The legislation also maintains the requirement that the refund value be clearly indicated on each container.
The bill clarifies that it does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
The proposed changes will impact deposit beverage distributors, who are required to pay the “Department of Health, State of Hawaii” the net number of deposit beverage containers sold, donated, or transferred multiplied by the sum of the prevailing deposit beverage container fee and the refund value, which will now be 10 cents. These payments are due by the 15th of the month following the end of the previous month’s payment period.
While the bill is expected to face scrutiny, early reactions from environmental groups have been largely positive. Advocates believe the increased refund value will lead to cleaner beaches, reduced landfill waste, and a more sustainable approach to beverage container management.
The bill is currently under consideration by the legislature and will be subject to further debate and amendments before a final vote. Residents are encouraged to contact their representatives to voice their opinions on the proposed changes to Hawaii’s Deposit Beverage Container Program.
