THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 4, 1996 TAG: 9610030013
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 27 lines
Kerry Dougherty's column (Sept. 14) on recycling underscores several points that thoughtful opponents of current recycling programs have been saying for years.
For most people who recycle, the primary motivation is to feel good. It makes them feel virtuous to have done something to save the planet.
Second, Ms. Dougherty carefully washes out the cans and bottles she places in her recycle bins. Ask yourself the question: What is in shorter supply in Virginia Beach, drinking water or landfill?
Third, advocates of recycling may not be aware that current recycling efforts are net wasters of our natural resources. It's not just the water, it's the extra trucks, the extra fuel, the recycling plants, the recycling plant pollution, the people, the time, the money and a hundred other things that go into recycling.
As even The New York Times has said: ``Rinsing out tuna cans and tying up newspapers may make you feel virtuous, but recycling could be America's most wasteful activity.''
ARIE J. KORVING
Chesapeake, Sept. 14, 1996 by CNB