Question: My mother bought Dole pineapple juice in a 46-ounce, non-aluminum can from Longs. She was charged the HI-5 recycling fee, plus a 1-cent handling fee. Although the can is clearly marked “HI-5,” it could not be redeemed through our local recycler. Why are we being assessed this fee if there is no chance to recover our monies paid? Also, can any seamless container (e.g., Spam and Vienna sausage cans) be redeemed anywhere?
Answer: As defined by Chapter 342G of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, Dole juice containers are eligible for redemption, said Darren Park, coordinator of the state Department of Health’s Office of Solid Waste Management.
“The Dole pineapple juice can is the most common example of a bi-metal container in Hawaii that you can redeem for your nickel deposit,” he said.
A bi-metal can is one made of steel with a tin coating and a vertical seam, Park said.
He asked that you contact the Health Department’s Deposit Beverage Container Program so it can investigate your complaint. Call 586-4226 or fax 586-7509. For more information about the program, go to www.hi5deposit.com.
Basically, if a container is not labeled HI-5 or similarly, it is not redeemable.
Spam and Vienna sausage cans, for example, are not eligible for redemption, Park said. However, they can be recycled at some redemption centers as scrap metal, he said.
Question: I recently bought a case of coconut water from GNC at Pearlridge Center and was charged 6 cents per container for a container that is not HI-5 redeemable. I asked why and was told that GNC corporate charges a bottle fee on all beverage containers whether or not it is HI-5 redeemable. I was refunded the fee, but was told it was only for this time. The sales clerk knew of the problem, but said it is a corporate issue. Is this legal?
Answer: The clerk was wrong and the store acknowledged it should not be charging recycling fees on the coconut water, said Darren Park, coordinator of the state Department of Health’s Office of Solid Waste Management.
He said the department sent an inspector to investigate your complaint on Jan. 17.
The investigation determined that the Vita Coco drink is the only coconut water sold by the case at the store and that the containers are not subject to deposit or container fees because they are made of aseptic cardboard, which is not a recyclable material in Hawaii.
The store manager told the inspector that employees don’t charge the fees on Vita Coco or any other non-HI-5 beverages, Park said.
“The specific complaint by your reader was a one-time error made by his staff that was corrected right away at the store,” he said. Staff was to be updated with a list of beverages that are subject to the fees.
Mahalo
To Honolulu Fire Capt. Norbert Pokini and the entire crew of Waimanalo’s Engine 27 for coming to our aid when my mother fainted on the trail to Ka Iwi Lookout at Makapuu on Dec. 29. They checked her out and got her a ride to the trailhead so the ambulance could get her to Castle Medical Center. A huge aloha and mahalo also to all the hikers who not only stopped to see if my mother was OK, but stayed to offer aid and comfort while we waited for help. People like them make these islands a special place to live and reminds this displaced kamaaina (now lost in Indiana) why I miss this place so much. — Bill Trankle
Mahalo
To the kind person who turned in my daughter’s cellphone Jan. 7 at Ala Moana Center. She left it in the women’s restroom near the food court and did not realize she had lost it until she got home an hour later. We called customer service immediately and found out it had been turned in! So nice to know that there are still honest, responsible people in the world. — Grateful Mom in Waipahu
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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
