| I recycle, at least, I try to. Lifelong dedication to | | | | nor is that necessarily a good idea, but what |
| the environment, and I still wonder whether that | | | | about some standards? Is there anything else the |
| envelope I'm holding is accepted in our paper | | | | federal government has a hand in regulating by |
| recycling program. Are the plastic windowed ones | | | | allowing its operation by the private sector? Bingo, |
| allowed? If so, does the window have to be | | | | organic foods. Currently, the USDA provides |
| under a certain size? What about shiny paper? | | | | standards for independent certifying bodies to |
| Usually it is excluded, however, junk mail is | | | | inspect operations for compliance. If approved, |
| specifically mentioned as accepted. Of course, | | | | they are permitted to use the USDA Organic seal |
| that doesn't cover the plastics. Bypassing the | | | | on their product, providing standardization and |
| issue of the numbers, a separate discussion | | | | ease-of-use for consumers. |
| altogether, take the example of plastic shopping | | | | I propose a similar system for recycling. Instead |
| bags. These items must be deposited elsewhere | | | | of the current labyrinth of policies, simply have a |
| for recycling (the thin bags get trapped in the | | | | universally-recognizable logo printed on all products |
| machinery and clog it), even though they are | | | | meeting the federal government's recycling |
| tagged with otherwise-included numbers. Did I | | | | standard. The EPA (presumably the lead agency |
| mention that if otherwise excluded items wind up | | | | on the issue) will then go about assisting and |
| in the recycling pile, the entire batch is considered | | | | approving existing waste disposal/recycling |
| contaminated and subsequently thrown away? No | | | | companies. Upon certification, they will be capable |
| pressure. Move to another city and the accepted | | | | of processing a given criteria of materials, for |
| items are likely completely different. With such a | | | | example, plastics coded 1-6, clear and green glass, |
| convoluted system, what hope does the average | | | | aluminum, and specific forms of paper, for all of |
| person trying to do their part have? | | | | their existing customers. The difference now is |
| Recent news reports claim that the incoming | | | | that on the disposal end, we do away with the |
| Obama administration will be appointing former | | | | traditional recycling logo and affiliated marks, and |
| EPA administrator Carol Browner as energy "czar" | | | | replace them with a custom EPA Recycle logo, in |
| to "coordinate energy issues across the federal | | | | the same vein as the USDA Organic logo. For |
| government" . An entirely new position in the | | | | citizens living/working within a service area of an |
| United States, surely her responsibilities will solidify | | | | EPA-approved waste disposal company, they can |
| as she grows into her role. Coordination is a | | | | rest assured that if they place an EPA Recycle |
| wonderful idea; by keeping a unified focus in all | | | | labelled product in their recycle bin, it will be |
| federal activities, real progress can be made in | | | | properly recycled. Market forces will push waste |
| energy policy. Energy, however, is not nearly as | | | | operators to achieve the EPA distinction to |
| closed a field as implied. To make substantive | | | | accommodate the demands of their clientele, as |
| impact on the global environment, they will need | | | | well as product manufacturers adopting its use on |
| to focus on all aspects of energy use, and | | | | appropriate products. |
| guarantee that we are using our energy efficiently | | | | Such a system eliminates the consideration of |
| and intelligently. | | | | plastic code numbers (many people don't even |
| This is where the stories converge. | | | | know they exist), cardboard versus paperboard |
| Recycling, at its very core, is intended to reduce | | | | recycling, or any number of other issues that can |
| the need to expend resources in making | | | | and do arise daily. Reference the success of the |
| something new when an already-produced | | | | USDA Organic seal. Average citizens regularly |
| equivalent exists. If one were to ask a person | | | | seek out organic options, a change partially |
| why they might use recycled paper, a logical | | | | brought about simply by the addition of a |
| answer may include the following: "So we don't | | | | standardized logo. |
| have to cut down more trees". The same goes | | | | We have a golden opportunity ahead of us as we |
| for bottled water or a can of soda - why go | | | | welcome a new administration strongly committed |
| through the effort of producing more virgin plastic | | | | to the environment. A national recycling standard |
| when a recycled bottle already sequestered the | | | | will help bridge the gap between the U.S. and |
| necessary energy? In essence, recycling is the | | | | Switzerland, the global leader, standing at 76% . |
| act of being more intelligent with our energy (and | | | | As of 2007, the United States had a recycling |
| resource) use. | | | | rate of approximately 33%, a value needlessly |
| Suddenly, recycling sounds like a topic upon which | | | | diminished by confusion, contamination, and |
| the administration will wish to focus, but how to | | | | general ignorance of the current situation . |
| do so? Waste services are privately owned | | | | Americans want to recycle, but when presented |
| enterprises operating independently or on contract | | | | with a hodgepodge of policies nationwide, it can |
| with municipalities, not the federal government. It | | | | make even the most green of people simply |
| is doubtful they would be open to nationalization, | | | | throw it away. |