LETTERS
September 13, 1999
Virgin materials gain subsidy benefits
The Aug.
30th letter by George Makrauer, ``Marketplace proves
reality of recycling,'' lambastes Plastics News' support for recycling
and argues for a ``real taste of the free-enterprise system.'' However,
in doing so he conveniently neglects to point out that during the
past five years the virgin oil, gas and coal industries--critical
to the manufacture of virgin plastics--have benefited from more
than $4 billion worth of direct federal subsidies and untold millions--if
not billions--in indirect subsidies.
According to government budget projections, federal subsidies for
the virgin minerals, forestry and mining industries are expected
to climb to $17 billion during the next five years.
If the ``real free-enterprise system'' (whatever that is) were
allowed to hold sway, recovering and reprocessing already refined
plastics into new commodities, rather than relying on expensive
and polluting virgin resources, would be much more cost effective.
If he's so enamored with the ``free-enterprise system,'' why doesn't
Mr. Makrauer ask for an end to all subsidies
for virgin producers before attacking the more environmentally responsible
process of recycling?
Allen Hershkowitz
Natural Resources Defense Council
New York