Dive Brief:

• Hawaii’s largest recycler is ceasing operations due to a dispute over payment with the state.
• Reynold’s Recycling says the company is waiting for the state Department of Health to reimburse it for payments rendered for deposits. 
• The Deputy Health Director, Gary Gill, issued a statement saying that the payments were delayed for a few days, and reimbursements are expected to be resolved by the end of the week. He also cited this timespan falls “well within the 30-day payment schedule provided by law.” 

Dive Insight:

The recycling firm will close about 35 redemption centers as a result of the delayed payment schedule, as it cannot afford to operate. Reynold’s Recycling employs approximately 100 employees who will not report to work until the situation is resolved. 

This incident comes on the heels of Honolulu's elimination of a glass recycling subsidy. On June 1, 2014, many recyclers stopped accepting glass without advanced deposits as a direct result of the changes. Recyclers can no longer afford to recycle the materials.