====== SPOTLIGHT ======
RECYCLING RUMBLE
Federal subsidies for miners, loggers and landfill operators
are making it harder for recycling-based businesses to compete,
according to a report released yesterday by a coalition of 116
recycling, environmental and business groups.
The report says the subsidies lower the cost of making products
from virgin materials and put the makers of recycled goods at a
disadvantage. The report urges revision of federal laws on 15
subsidies that promote logging, mining and use of landfills.
Industries targeted by the report take exception to its
conclusions, saying that oil subsidies help reduce US dependence
on foreign oil and that certain states require a certain
percentage of recycled materials in products, creating demand for
recycling. (#1)
====== SPOTLIGHT STORY ======
*1 RECYCLING: FEDERAL SUBSIDIES HURT RECYCLING -- STUDY
Federal subsidies for miners, loggers and landfill operators
are making it harder for recycling-based businesses to compete,
according to a report released yesterday by a coalition of 116
recycling, environmental and business groups.
The report, "Welfare for Waste," says the subsidies
lower the cost of making products from "virgin materials".
That puts the makers of recycled goods at a disadvantage, and
drags their prices down as well. Ralph DeGennaro, executive
director of Taxpayers for Common Sense: "Every time you throw a
can in the recycling bin or some waste paper on the recycling
pile, your government throws some money in the other direction to
subsidize the competition" (Nancy Vogel, Sacramento Bee, 4/8).
The report urges revision of federal laws on 15 subsidies
that promote logging, mining and use of landfills that cost
taxpayers $2.6 billion each year. Some of the subsidy laws were
set up in the 1800s to promote the development of the West (NRDC
release, 4/8). Eric Lombardi of Boulder-based Eco-Cycle, the
largest nonprofit recycling company in the US: "Cutting these
federal subsidies ... will save taxpayers $13 billion over the
next five years" (Mark Eddy, Denver Post, 4/9).
Industries targeted by the report take exception to its
conclusions. Lee Fuller of the Independent Petroleum Assn. of
America says that oil subsidies help reduce the US's dependence
on foreign oil. And some industry representatives note that
certain states require a certain percentage of recycled materials
in products, creating demand for recycling (Vogel, Sacramento
Bee).