MVR SUMMER NEWSLETTER, 2005:

THE STATE OF RECYCLING

Since the 60's recycling in the United States has come a long way. The national rate is estimated at 50% and is big business on the coasts and in cities. Corporations have helped increase demand for recycled products, and the price of reclycled
commodities have risen with demand as new products are developed.

For instace, Coke and Pepsi have committed to 10% recyled PET (plastic) in every produced plastic bottle. Since PET is already used in carpet, clothing, lumber, strapping and other products, the price has escalated. So now the challenge is to get people to realize that recycling is not just about saving landfill space, resources, and energy- but about NOT THROWING AWAY valuable commodities.

The recycling rate in Montana runs about 15% and in
Missoula about 25%. Why so low? We could blame geography. Yet most Montanans make driving runs to our cities to shop, and if they wished to recycle they can and do bring recyclables to centers. What about awareness? Here in Missoula, the newpapers and TV rarely run stories on recycling; less than half of our schools recycle, and the Missoula city government has no policies or zoning concerning recycling. With all the growth in our city, doesn't it make sense to plan for the future?

What can you do to help promote recycling in Missoula?

Call your councilperson, and ask they to consider not only requiring space for garbage- but also for recyclables- in development plans. Someone in the office of Planning and Grants described the zoning rules as "archaic", but only a council vote is needed to enact forward looking changes. MVR lost a big client this year because they moved to a large, brand new building, and we could not find a space
for a blue bin! We need to zone space for garbage and
recyclables. Please call your city representative (if you have
one).

MVR will try to find private funding for school recycling.

We are asking you, out customers to help. Tom will also contact possible business sponsors. It costs about 500 dollars per school, per year. If you would like to contribute, please call us and we will send you the forms and description of the program, or go to our website for more information. (Soon: as of the end of August or mid September.)

Commercial Rate Hike.

We have carfully considered the following aspects in regards to your pickup rate: quantity of recyclables, blue bins, number of pickups per month, distance from town, and access location (inside vs. curbside) of pickup. Please keep in mind that this is our first rate hike since the end of 1999. The price of oil is climbing and continues to climb- from $50 to $60 per barrel since last quarter! Our average time per pick-up for a commercial customer, including driving, pickup and drop-off is about 30 minutes. Please call us if you would like to discuss your rate or service schedule.

WANNA DEAL JUNK MAIL A BLOW?

WRITE: Mail Preference Service, Care of Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

PHONE: (212) 768-7277 For more information and a complete review of the junk mail situation go the the web site: (They also have more information on stopping telemarketers)

For more information on how to really get off junk mail lists call
"Private Citizen" 1-800-CUT-JUNK.

Thanks to ecofuture.org
for the free use and distribution of this information.