Redemption centers

(a) Prior to operation, redemption centers shall be certified by the department. (b) Applications for certification as a redemption center shall be filed with the department on forms prescribed by the department. (c) The department, at any time, may review the certification of a redemption center. After written notice to the person responsible for the establishment and operation of the redemption center and to the dealers served by the redemption center, the department, after it has afforded the redemption center operator a hearing in accordance with chapter 91, may withdraw the certification of the center if it finds that there has not been compliance with applicable laws, rules, permit conditions, or certification requirements. (d) Redemption centers shall: (1) Accept all types of empty deposit beverage containers for which a deposit has been paid; (2) Verify that all containers to be redeemed bear a valid Hawaii refund value; (3) Pay to the redeemer the full refund value in either cash or a redeemable voucher for all deposit beverage containers, except as provided in section 342G-116; (4) Ensure each deposit beverage container collected is recycled through a contractual agreement with an out-of-state recycler or an in-state recycling facility permitted by the department; provided that this paragraph shall not apply if the redemption center is operated by a recycler permitted by the department; (5) Remain open at least thirty hours per week in high density population areas, of which at least five hours shall be on Saturday or Sunday; and (6) Forward the documentation necessary to support claims for payment as stated in section 342G-119. (e) Redemption centers' redemption areas shall be maintained in full compliance with applicable laws and with the orders and rules of the department, including permitting requirements, if deemed necessary, under chapter 342H. (f) The department shall develop procedures to facilitate the exchange of information between deposit beverage container manufacturers, distributors, and retailers and certified redemption centers, including but not limited to universal product code information for reverse vending machine purposes. The procedures developed by the department shall allow for a reasonable time period between the introduction of a new deposit beverage product and the deadline for submitting universal product code information to certified redemption centers operating reverse vending machines.