Hawaii: Is there a bottle deposit?
Hawaii's HI-5 law puts a 5-cent refundable deposit on most beverage containers.
The HI-5 program has run since January 2005 and is run by the Department of Health. It covers beer and malt drinks, mixed wine and spirits, soda, water, tea, coffee, and most other non-dairy drinks in glass, plastic (PET or HDPE), or metal containers up to 68 fluid ounces. Separately, distributors pay a non-refundable container fee of 1 or 1.5 cents, so shoppers typically pay about 6 cents and get 5 cents back. Bills to change the program were filed in 2025 and 2026, but the 5-cent refund was still in place as of September 2026.
Conditions
- 5-cent refund per container
- Covers beer, mixed wine and spirits, soda, water, tea, coffee, and most non-dairy drinks
- Glass, PET, HDPE, or metal containers up to 68 fluid ounces
- Separate non-refundable container fee of 1 to 1.5 cents is not returned
What the law says
By January 1, 2005, every deposit beverage container sold in this State shall have a refund value of 5 cents. The refund value is the amount of the deposit required.
Sources
- HRS § 342G-110 (Payment and application of deposits) Official · data.capitol.hawaii.gov
- HRS § 342G-101 (Definitions) Official · data.capitol.hawaii.gov
- HRS § 342G-102 (Deposit beverage container fee) Official · data.capitol.hawaii.gov
- Hawaii DOH Deposit Beverage Container Program Official · health.hawaii.gov
- Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Sept. 26, 2026: HI-5 fund swells to $105 million Secondary · staradvertiser.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Hawaii Department of Health, Deposit Beverage Container Program
- Phone
- 808-586-4400
- Website
- health.hawaii.gov
How bordering states compare
Hawaii doesn't share a land border with another state.