Re: [GreenYes] Why people recycle in 2001.

["Roger Guttentag" <rgutten@concentric.net>]

Dear John and GreenYes:

Let me clarify this situation (see previous messages below to understand
what I am referring to).  On 7/27/01 Bill Sheehan forwarded to this list on
behalf of someone the following question:

"I am looking for literature that quantitatively addresses the question,
'What motivates people to recycle?'"

The message went on to say ".  I want to review the literature on how
researchers have attempted to answer it and what kind of conclusions they've
reached."

I remembered that John Reindl made a similar request last year,  found the
message that he sent to this list on 12/11/00 and then copied / pasted  it
into my reply of 7/27/01 with some other references.

A message was sent on 7/27/01 from e-mail address CEFG, identified as C.
William, that did not do a careful abstract from my message and, when
combined with the writer's opinion that "a whole lot of people 'could care
less'," created for some the false impression that this opinion originated
from John Reindl - someone who in my judgement would never make such a
statement.

In my opinion, the writer's dismissal of research on the issue of why people
recycled published previous to 1998 is unsound simply because 1) no proof
was been offered that this research is invalid, 2)you need to know what the
previous findings were in order to know if any recent findings (say within
the last two years) are showing any significant differences and 3) you can't
know what parameters still need to be addressed by new research.

Finally, if the writer was interested only in research conducted within the
last two years then frankly the request was badly framed resulting in the
wasting of my time and anyone else who considered answering the original
request.

Sincerely,

Roger M. Guttentag
610-584-8836
rgutten@concentric.net

----- Original Message -----
From: Reindl, John <Reindl@co.dane.wi.us>
To: 'Angela BRANTLEY' <BRANTLEY@ci.monterey.ca.us>; <greenyes@grrn.org>;
<hither@qwest.net>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 7:09 PM
Subject: RE: [GreenYes] Why people recycle in 2001.


> Dear GreenYes list members ~
>
> I did not write the message attributed to me which says:
>
> >....  It is time to recognize that in 2001 a whole lot of
> > people "could care less."
>
> I have, however, compiled an extensive bibliography on why people recycle,
> which I would be glad to send at no cost.
>
> For background information, both in my state, in my county and in my city,
> recycling has incredibly strong support, and I have not personally seen
any
> weakening of that support. In fact, our state legislature just adopted
some
> measures that indicate an even stronger support than what existed a few
> years ago.
>
> John Reindl, Recycling Manager
> Dane County, Wisconsin
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Angela BRANTLEY [mailto:BRANTLEY@ci.monterey.ca.us]
> > Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 1:41 PM
> > To: greenyes@grrn.org; hither@qwest.net
> > Subject: Re: [GreenYes] Why people recycle in 2001.
> >
> >
> > I disagree with the statement below.  Recycling has become a
> > habit with many people.  It isn't a BIG deal anymore but the
> > consciousness and education level has increased.  People in
> > our community WANT to recycle.  The key is consistent
> > collection (types of containers and fiber collected at the
> > curb).  They're too busy to try and figure it all out.  I
> > will say that teaching the key element...reducing what they
> > generate in the first place... is the most important aspect
> > to their new learning environment.   We'll keep plugging along.
> >
> > Angela
> >
> > Angela Brantley
> > City of Monterey
> > City Hall
> > Monterey CA 93940
> > brantley@ci.monterey.ca.us
> > 831-646-5662
> > FAX - 831-646-5686
> >
> > "If at first you don't succeed...sky diving is probably not
> > the sport for you!"  Author Unknown
> >
> > >>> "C E F G" <hither@qwest.net> 07/27/01 09:59AM >>>
> >
> > <<The following message below is a copy of a 12/11/00 message
> > to GreenYes from
> > John Reindl regarding the question "why do people recycle.">>
> >
> > ....  It is time to recognize that in 2001 a whole lot of
> > people "could care less."
> >
> > Regards, C. William
> >