Dive Brief:

• The state auditor in Hawaii is scrutinizing the department in charge of operating the state's glass recycling program.
• The Department of Health oversees the program, which the auditor concludes is outdated and unclear.
• An accurate assessment of the program is necessary before a decision of how to proceed is finalized, according to the auditor. 

Dive Insight:

Under consideration is an amendment to the glass advance disposal fee (ADF) law. Auditors are also toying with the idea of adjusting the ADF rate. Before any changes are implemented, counties need accurate information and correct estimates of their ADF allocations. 

Counties often exhaust funding to pay recyclers to collect the glass, then transport it out of state for recycling. When that happens, the glass isn’t collected.

The report issued by the auditor cites that the administration that deals with the program is careless, alleging that the department doesn’t verify costs, did not know of the use for some funds, let counties spend more than was allocated, and does not have resources dedicated to operating the program.