Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 3181 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the definition of "deposit beverage container" for purposes of the deposit beverage container program, to include containers of less than or equal to 67.6 fluid ounces.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Reynolds Recycling, Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, and Windward Ahupua`a Alliance. Testimony in opposition was received from the Association of Food, Beverage and Consumer Products Companies.

Your Committees find that there has been much confusion by consumers as to whether or not two-liter bottles are included in the deposit beverage container program. Since the program has proven to be very successful, there is no reason why such larger containers should not also be included.

This measure represents your Committees' continued commitment to recycling to reduce the volume of trash in landfills. Your Committees are cognizant of the recent news concerning the potential closing of the Waimanalo landfill in the foreseeable future. This measure is a small but significant effort to achieve sustainability by reducing waste and recycling.

Your Committees have amended this measure by changing the size of a recyclable bottle to sixty-eight fluid ounces or less, and making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Environment, and International Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3181, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3181, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.