Hilo Reusable Containers: Return to Responsibility

Beginning in December, Hawaiʻi County will ban single-use plastic serviceware, encouraging the use of compostable products. However, in Hilo, a coalition is launching the Ho'i program, offering washable, reusable to-go containers. This initiative, named after the Hawaiian word for 'to return,' aims to significantly reduce plastic waste.

The Ho'i program operates similarly to a library system, allowing residents to check out containers for free. The program is designed to foster a sense of responsibility, especially as an estimated 15-20 tons of plastic marine trash wash ashore annually in the area.

Funded by over $3.7 million in seed funding from the EPA and private foundations, the program includes purchasing serviceware, an industrial dishwasher, and return bins. A German company, Vytal, is providing a QR code system for easy checkout. This system is being piloted in Hilo alongside other U.S. cities.

Local businesses are adopting the Ho'i containers, seeing them as a viable alternative to both single-use plastics and more expensive compostables. The program's success in Hilo could lead to its replication across the county and potentially the state, offering an innovative solution to the growing problem of waste.