Hawaiʻi officials want to encourage more recycling, and that could include changes to how the state recycles.
Over the last dozen years, Hawaiʻi has seen a downward trend in recycling numbers. In fiscal year 2012, 697 million containers were recycled in Hawaiʻi — about 77% of all the containers sold that year. In fiscal year 2024 that fell to 538 million containers, representing about 55% of what was sold. The state Department of Health said in 2025 that Hawaiʻi recycled 515 million containers.
In a recent state informational briefing lawmakers, experts and local officials discussed the possibility of the state using “reverse vending machines” in stores and “bag drop-off” locations where recyclables can be returned…