Jan 31 - HI - Household Battery Deposit Bill Introduced in Hawaii

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Rep. Mark Nakashima recently introduced House Bill 2811, a bill that would establish household battery recycling program in Hawaii. 

Batteries are such a common part of our everyday lives that we don't realize how quickly we can accumulate them. Batteries contain cadmium, lead, potassium hydroxide, and a host of other toxic constituents that can cause irreparable reproductive disorders as well as kidney, liver and neurological dysfunctions.

This bill would require manufacturers of household batteries would  pay 5 cents per battery sold in the state, and the fund would pay for the operation of redemption centers or reverse vending machines to take used batteries.

Similiar to bottle bill deposit laws, consumers would pay 10 cents per battery and receive a refund when they are brought back for recycling.  If the bill passed, the fee would be implemented on Oct. 1, 2013, and the deposit program would begin Jan. 1, 2015.