Vending

Honolulu considers banning small plastic bottles in city vending machines

Photo: Adobe Stock

April 28, 2025

The Honolulu City Council is considering Bill 18, a measure that would prohibit the sale of single-use plastic bottles of one liter or less in vending machines at city-owned facilities starting next year, according to a report by The Cool Down. Introduced by Council Vice Chair Matt Weyer, the bill aims to address the negative environmental and health impacts of plastic waste, citing its contribution to pollution and harm to marine life.

While proponents argue the ban is a necessary step towards reducing plastic pollution, the American Beverage Association has expressed opposition, stating that the industry is already taking steps to mitigate plastic waste. Some council members also voiced concerns about the potential impact on local vendors.

"To the extent that we can say in our vending machines we'd like to reduce the number of single-use bottles, I think that's a positive signal that we can send... Bill 18 is a very limited, narrow but positive step," Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam told the news outlet.

Bill 18 is part of a broader trend across the United States, with other states like Oregon and New Mexico also considering or implementing restrictions on single-use plastics.

The Honolulu City Council is set to vote on the proposed ban.