By Mike Brown, BIRP President
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Spring/Summer 2002-PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
By Mike Brown
We
continue to hear that recycling rates are in decline.
Given the state of the economy, and the variables
that continue in the secondary use markets of post consumer
materials, I don’t think that is a surprise.
And, we are told by the EPA that the daily volume of
waste generated by each of us is in decline…again partly
due to a somewhat stagnant economy…again, that’s no
surprise.
However,
programs are in effect in Kentucky and others are in
development, which we hope will run counter to the national
trends. For
example, in the last session of the Kentucky General
Assembly, HB 174 was passed which provides for the clean up
of illegal dumps, as well as funds to clean up our highways.
This is a good start for Kentucky. Throughout the
debates that have taken place about litter and dumps, there
has been an education process underway.
And, as Kentuckians become more aware of the problem,
they are doing something about it.
Schools
are teaching more and more that as responsible citizens, we
should not litter or dump illegally.
County governments are stepping up their work to
carry trash and litter and provide for solid waste
collection. This
is important, as we have noted, the worst offenders of
littering are young males between the ages of 18 and 26.
The Can Manufacturers Institute recently polled 1,000
consumers and their research showed that the older you are,
the more likely you are to recycle. Many 18 to 29 year olds are ignorant about recycling benefits
and apparently have little interest.
So, education and communication take on added
importance to a major segment of our society.
BIRP
is now working with a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity
to see about setting up a collection system for cans with
money from the collected cans being given to Habitat for
Humanity to build homes.
If recycling in and of itself is not reason enough to
collect and recycle . . . perhaps providing some charitable
reason to do it might pick up the program.
When the program is set up and gets underway, we will
see. But this
is another in a long line of experimental projects that BIRP
has attempted to provide for collection and recycling of
materials. Some have worked . . . and some have not, but we continue to
experiment and to try.
We
remain committed to curbside recycling.
And, as the EPA points out, curbside is the best and
most efficient collection system for recyclables.
But, in order to make it work, there must be good
communications. People need to know what is and what is not recyclable.
Then, they need to know that they can put their
recyclables into a curbside receptacle.
Those communities who provide that kind of
communication and support find their recycling programs
prosper. BIRP
is committed to helping Kentucky communities to improve
recycling.
Private
business remains committed to recycling.
We will be trying to get legislation proposed this
next session which will enable us to sell multi layered
plastic bottles in Kentucky.
With a multi layered bottle, we can increase the use
of post consumer plastic thus creating more of a market for
plastic. And,
this is a feature requested by the environmental community.
Kentucky is doing an excellent job marshaling the
talents of volunteers to work in clean ups and collections
across the state. It
will take a long time, but it will work.
Meantime, we urge you to continue to recycle, and
spread that concept among your associates.
Recycling makes cents…and it pays major dividends.
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