Re: Industry reaction to GRN

Eco-Cycle (ecocycle@bcn.boulder.co.us)
Fri, 22 Jan 1999 16:56:22 -0500


GREETINGS MICHELE,

THIS IS NOT AN "OFFICIAL" GRN RESPONSE, JUST THE OPINIONS OF SOMEONE
THAT WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE IN ATLANTA FOR AN IMPORTANT AND EXCITING
GATHERING OF RECYCLERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS.

On Fri, 11 Apr 1997, Michele Raymond wrote:

> To anyone onf Greenyes:
>
> I have spoken with some industry people regarding the formation and actions
> taken so far by the GRN.
>
> There was a concensus:
>
> A. GRN is not taken seriously.
OF COURSE NOT, AND NEITHER WERE THE PIONEERS OF POST-CONSUMER RECYCLING IN
THE 1970'S.
> B. Donzella James is not taken seriously
THEY'RE DREAMING. ANYONE WHO DOESN'T TAKE A STATE SENATOR WITH THE FIRE
AND INTEGRITY OF SENATOR JAMES SERIOUSLY IS EITHER STUPID OR SUPREMELY
ARROGANT. SHE IS A LEADER, AND SHE IS LEADING. TIME IS ON HER SIDE.
> C. GRN is unlikely to make any headway in Legislatures unless there is
> another "crisis." In the absence of a crisis (like the garbage barge or
> some other disaster -- real or manufacturered) the movement for recycling or
> new laws will not get enough support from the public they say.
> "RECYCLING" IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE NEW "MOVEMENT" WHICH WE'RE
CALLING ZEROWASTE. AS A PLANNING APPROACH, OR DESIGN PRINCIPLE, FOR THE
FUTURE, ZEROWASTE DOESN'T NEED A NEW CRISIS TO GIVE IT CREDIBILITY ...
JUST LOOK AT THE DECLINING BIOSYSTEMS AROUND THE PLANET AND THE RATIONAL
FOR ADVOCATING A NEW APPROACH TO DEALING WITH "WASTE" IS SELF-EVIDENT.
>
Does anyone in GRN have an on the record comment?
> > Another comment was that GRN is focussed to much on recycling and is
> ignoring the big picture, source reduction issue. I said this was not the
> case, from what I heard, but they said all of the public material to date
> focused only on recycling.
YOU ARE CORRECT, SOURCE REDUCTION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE POINT THAT
ZEROWASTE PLANNING REQUIRES MEANINGFUL "PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY" FOR IT.>
> Thanks for your feedback -- I need someone active with GRN.
> THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST. STAY TUNED, AND DON'T BE FOOLED BY YOUR
INDUSTRY CONSENSUS ... THE POLITICS HAVE JUST BEGUN!
> This is for publications -- Year-End State Recycling Laws Update; deadline
> next week!
>
> Thanks
>
> Michele Raymond--
> Publisher
> michele@raymond.com
> 301/345-4237
> Fax 345-4768
> Web: www.raymond.com/recycle
>
>