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August 29, 2010

A Word About Recycling - Aug. 29, 2010

By Ollie and Gloria Maier Daily Record Columnists The San Marcos Record Sun Aug 29, 2010, 07:00 AM CDT

San Marcos — From the latest Plastics Recycling eNewsletter, an item about that little city to the north of us.

“Plastic bag bans have been grabbing headlines again recently, with Austin the latest municipality to consider banishing the beleaguered polyethylene sacks. According to a local story, Texas' capital city, is in the midst of a 90-day lifecycle cost study on plastic grocery bags, which is looking into whether the ‘tax dollars spent on plastic bags outweigh their added convenience.’"

The item continued, “The study will be completed in September, when the Austin City Council will then consider a ban, if deemed necessary. Elsewhere in the Lone Star State, Brownsville, Texas is going ahead with its plans to eradicate plastic bags, beginning to hand out reusable bags on Aug. 26 in advance of the ban, which goes into effect at the beginning of 2011.”

And while still addressing plastics recycling, another item which rather surprised us as we didn’t realize it was that high.

“A recent survey by BeveragePulse.com shows that 94 percent of Americans are concerned about the long-term environmental effects of their packaged beverage purchases.”

The study found that "recycling was cited frequently (45 percent) as the most important environmental concern for packaged beverages."

Locally, from the number of plastic jugs and bottles being recycled, it appears many, if not most, citizens are not longer just throwing them in the trash.

And from the latest E-Scrap News (an electronics recycling eNewsletter), a couple of items.

“U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson named "cleaning up e-waste" one of the agency's top six international priorities moving forward.”

In her memo, she states in part, “In the near-term, EPA will focus on ways to improve the design, production, handling, reuse, recycling, exporting and disposal of electronics.”

While not really e-waste, in the United Kingdom, where citizens can sell their cell phone to recyclers rather than just giving (donating it), it appears crooks have gotten in the act.

“Cellphone recyclers in the U.K. are partnering with law enforcement to keep from inadvertently purchasing stolen goods from consumers. Around 20 mobile phone processors — making up around 90 percent of the industry — have agreed to check a stolen handset database when given equipment to buy.”

If stolen, they will notify the authorities.

The article mentions, “According to U.K. government officials, this should stem the flow of an estimated 100,000 stolen handsets, which are currently being purchased by cellphone recyclers doing business in the country.”

That’s a lot of stolen cell phones. I wonder how many are stolen in this country. Probably not many as the person can’t sell it for cash to a recycler.

And personal note: Having grown up without such a thing as a cell phone for about 50 years, and we were one of the earlier ones to get one, what did we ever do without them for personal and business transactions?

Till next week, do have a great one...

Gloria and Ollie are local citizens concerned with the environment and helping others. Ollie is a graduate of Leadership San Marcos and they both received higher education at TxState University and worked on staff before retiring. For questions or comments, call 353-7432 or e-mail omaier@TxState.edu.

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