[GRRN] Fw: Miller letter

Bill Sheehan (zerowaste@grrn.org)
Fri, 12 Feb 1999 13:38:20 -0500


[Forwarded from Eris Weaver, San Raphael, CA]

-----Original Message-----
From: Eris Weaver
Date: Tuesday, February 09, 1999 3:46 PM
Subject: Miller letter

John N. MacDonough
Chief Executive Officer
Miller Brewing Company
3939 W. Highland Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0482

February 9, 1999

Dear Mr. MacDonough:

As an environmentalist, I am concerned about Miller's recent
introduction of plastic beer bottle; as I understand it, the bottle's
amber tint, new barrier material, and metal cap and label make it
incompatible with existing recycled PET recycling systems.

You have an an opportunity here to help re-energize the plastics
recycling industry, and position Miller as a responsible,
environmentally-conscious corporation if you will:

1. Ensure that the new bottle is compatible with current PET recycling.
2. Ensure that the bottle will not increase costs for local governments
and recyclers.
3. Remove the #1 PETE SPI Code designation (and use #7 Other) until the
bottle has been demonstrated to be compatible with the PET recycling.
4. Use at least 25 percent recycled content in all bottles.

I personally will not purchase the new bottle - or, indeed, any Miller
product - until and unless these concerns are addressed.

Sincerely,
Eris Weaver