Show Who says the styrofoam cafeteria cups arent aren't recyclable Dear Editor Gloria Quick Staff Writer re feature article page 12 Horizon Vol 91 92 91 91 92 No 7 Oct 9 1991 The article presented bearing bearing bearing bear bear- ing the title Cafeteria cups are not recyclable has forced me to respond to both yourself yourself yourself your your- self and Mr Bob Price in a positive manner The lead statement having reference to the impression that styrofoam cups used at are not recyclable nor biodegradable needs tion A firm in West Valley City has the technology and facilities to recycle not only styrofoam but many other plastic products The company company company com com- pany International Remediation Remediation Remediation Remedia Remedia- tion Corporation at 1952 Parkway Boulevard has developed an efficient economical process by which both the expanded forms of styrene styrofoam and the dense forms such as films containers and molded products can be recycled and returned to the marketplace While not generally known to the public the most difficult aspect of recycling recycling recy recy- cling of products of this type is to overcome the tendency of manufacturing firms to insist insist insist in in- only on virgin resources when a recycled source is available A deeply entrenched attitude among many production personnel has been to facilitate the production of a product with little or no concern for the disposition of waste generated and related to the production of that item has the processes to recycle items such as low den den- sity polyethylene polyvinyl chloride polystyrene petroleum waxes mineral animal or vegetable oils and waxes many paint products asphalt tar-based tar roofing and sealants lubricating lubricating lubricating ing products and many other products Finding a reliable source of the product to be recycled and a subsequent market for the recycled product are major obstacles The political scene is not truly amenable to recycling due to efforts by uninformed individuals merely desire to bury all waste while steadily consuming a renewable non-renewable resource Major emphasis must be placed on recycling but we need to remember several very important points Probably the most important is that wealthy nations tend to do little recycling and have little or no desire to be concerned concerned concerned con con- to extend any efforts to pursue recycling in earnest Another point to keep in mind is the lack of markets for the recycled resources A Avery Avery Avery very significant aspect frequently frequently frequently fre fre- fre- fre overlooked is the at at- at tempt to recycle some products so as to generate more of the very same product Most notable is paper recycling wherein the paper is to be reclaimed and marketed l as a competitor to the original source Paper can be converted to fuels serve as asa asa asa a base to construction products packaging plastics nutrients for bacteria providing providing providing provid provid- ing commercially important products and many other items In summary it would behoove behoove behoove be be- hoove any individual criticizing criticizing ing the actions of some person or agency to carefully assess the needs economics and applications of their products before condemning their actions Make every effort effort effort ef ef- ef- ef fort to research a situation before issuing statements that display absolutes while exhibiting exhibiting exhibiting ex ex- the presenters presenter's limited knowledge John R. R Pease Laboratory Coordinator I. I i j |