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In the age of COVID-19, many policies that might have once seemed like a push in the right direction are becoming absolutely essential for the protection of our communities. The introduction of reverse vending machines is one such policy.

Reverse vending machines essentially consist of a machine that exchanges cans and bottles for deposits. Around the world, communities that mandate container deposits often mandate reverse vending machines. The state of Hawaii has not followed suit. That needs to change.

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, reverse vending machines made a lot of sense for the state of Hawaii. They are known to encourage increased rates of recycling and can reduce the total costs associated with recycling.

Post-pandemic, reverse vending machines make even more sense. They not only can reduce people-to-people contact and mitigate against unsafe handling practices at recycling centers, they also can reduce rummaging through trash in search of used containers by some of our most vulnerable communities.

We actually came very close to getting reverse vending machines earlier this year.

In January, Sen. Mike Gabbard introduced SD1 HD1 (2020). Had this measure been adopted by the Hawaii Legislature, then our elected officials could have helped us to realize these benefits.

Unfortunately, that did not happen.

Although Sen. Gabbard’s measure was passed by four committees, the pandemic took center stage before reverse vending machines could be given their due consideration. And the measure was quietly dropped from the schedule.

Missed Opportunity

Now, the Department of Health is unable to implement this change without further legislative action. And, the earliest that can happen is next year.

Make no mistake about it: not introducing reverse vending machines was a missed opportunity for the people of Hawaii.

Fortunately, the Legislature can start righting that wrong this week.

Reverse vending machines speak to a range of issues that are important to our ohana.

The people of Hawaii deserve to know whether the adoption of reverse vending machines would help to slow the spread of communicable diseases across our state. And the Legislature has a mechanism to find out the answer to that question. It is the emergency COVID-19 appropriations currently being debated within the Legislature.

These include our desire to live in a clean and safe environment, a reflection of the pristine nature of our islands, and our commitment to helping our most vulnerable communities — both to protect them from the ravages of the pandemic and to safeguard one of their few sources of legitimate income.

For these reasons, the Hawaii Legislature should direct our relevant state agencies to determine the public health benefits of reverse vending machines and identify the implementation strategies that would best reflect the values of the people of Hawaii.