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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 22, 1993                   TAG: 9303220403
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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RECYCLABLES IN THE MARKETPLACE

THANK YOU for your very informative article in the Feb. 21 Business section related to recycling.

Your section at the bottom defining "Yes" and "No" - and "Yes, But" is the exact type of information needed by those participating in residential recycling. It is a confusing question and your article gave specific answers.

I want to add a note to your comment "The bottom line: The more people recycle, the less their trash (recyclables) brings in the marketplace." This is an absolute truth, but there are two additional economic advantages that in the long term will help our society.

First, the escalating cost of the alternative, landfilling, will make recycling an economic alternative. Even though you will be paying to get rid of recyclables, that cost will probably be less than the $50 to $60 landfill fee that will go into effect in our valley next September. Thus, by recycling, you will be saving money.

Second, it's in the long-term advantage of major material manufacturers to have lower costs for material. Roanoke Electric Steel, Lynchburg Foundry, Griffin Pipe, Rock-Tenn Corp. and Virginia Fibers all use a great deal of recyclable material as their raw materials. Westvaco, another Western Virginia manufacturer, is also in the process of adding a recycling fiber operation.

The controlling of their raw-material cost helps them be more competitive in the world markets. This, in turn, helps preserve the many Western Virginia jobs filled by their workers. BRUCE BRENNER President Cycle Systems, Inc. ROANOKE

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