Drive around town and you might notice abandoned shopping carts. In some areas it’s a lot, and in other areas you will find a few.
A Honolulu City Council member wants that to stop all together.
KHON2 wanted to know what Council member Trevor Ozawa’s plans are.
Retailers may be on the hook if a shopping cart is found abandoned, even if the cart was removed without permission.
“It’s an eye sore, it is a hazard too,” said Oahu Resident Bunny Gabaylo.
That’s one reason Gabaylo took it upon himself to clear a sidewalk in Makiki littered with shopping carts.
“Especially with it being windy and especially with the kids skate boarding they could collide with the shopping carts,” said Gabaylo. “It should be regulated.”
And that is exactly what could happen under a new city council bill introduced by Councilman Trevor Ozawa. Ozawa’s measure would hold retailers more accountable for their shopping carts.
First, they would be required to install anti-theft mechanisms like a wheel lock on shopping carts, to prevent them from being removed from businesses. Some businesses already have these devices.
The carts would also have to be marked with the store’s name, address and phone number.
Failure to follow the rules would result in fines ranging from $500 to $2,000.
A spokesperson for Ozawa says he hopes to get feedback and continue discussions with residents and the stores that use the shopping carts.
The bill will be discussed at the city council meeting on Wednesday.
