[GreenYes] Letter to NYT Editor

April 2, 2002

The New York Times

229 West 43rd Street

New York, NY 10036-3959

To the Editor:

Claudia Deutsch correctly describes plastics recycling as a "work in progress" (page B2, March 30, 2002). But if recycling growth remains elusive, it's not for lack of opportunity.

Last year, on behalf of Businesses and Environmentalists Allied for Recycling, a project of Global Green USA, I facilitated a dialogue among beverage industry, recycling, government and environmental organizations. Ms. Deutsch quotes me as saying we didn't agree on how to reach 80% recycling, but I would clarify this by emphasizing our successes. The group agreed on the costs, benefits and effectiveness of current recycling programs and, most importantly, identified promising approaches that could vastly increase recycling at relatively low unit costs, while addressing many of industry's concerns about bottle bills. Unfortunately, the only beverage producer that participated, Coca-Cola North America, has so far declined to continue with the dialogue and no other beverage companies have stepped forward.

Ms. Deutsch implies beverage producers along with carpet and electronic equipment manufacturers are among "recycling's most ardent supporters." After all, carpet producers recently signed a voluntary agreement to achieve recycling targets, and electronics industry leaders are progressing towards a similar agreement. But while well intentioned, the beverage industry's modest support for recycling has had little impact - recycling rates continue to fall and a stalemate over government policy continues. Especially now, with developments like Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to suspend municipal recycling services, it is critical that beverage companies return to a dialogue and agree on how to cooperatively grow the recycling industry.