Hawaii Dept. of Health to increase container deposit fee paid by manufacturers, distributors, importers to 6.5 cents from 6 cents, effective Sept. 1; fee applies to HI-5 bottles, is expected to keep recycling program in business with US$4.5M/year infusion

HONOLULU , July 19, 2012 (The Associated Press) – Hawaii is hiking the beverage container deposit fee that manufacturers, distributors and importers of drinks must pay to keep the state's bottle recycling program going.



The state Department of Health said Wednesday the increase will boost program revenues by about $4.5 million each year. It's raising the fee so it has the money to continue to refund bottle deposits.



The state says consumers will likely see the additional half-cent added to their retail purchases of HI-5 labeled containers beginning Sept. 1.



The deposit plus container fee will total 6 1/2 cents. That includes a 5 cent deposit returned to the consumer when the container is recycled and a non-refundable 1 1/2 cent container fee to cover administrative costs.



Currently the deposit plus container fee is 6 cents.



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