Comments on: A Wonder Material You Can't Get Rid Of

Plastics Are Durable And Flexible, But They Stick Around For A Long, Long Time

[iwsvinci]

I read the article and completely agree with Robert Reed from NORCAL Waste Systems. The recycling center on Pier 96 and the C&D Recycling Center located at NORCAL's Transfer Station Facility are both a recyclers dream come true. Both facilities with a little updating are very capable of handling San Francisco's waste volumes now and into the future. As Mr. Reed stated, plastic bags are a problem, not only to the processing equipment but also to us...the people that are utilize these bags. Plastic Bags should be removed from the market, this naturally is eaiser said than done. Unfortunitely NORCAL's Recycle Central Facility is receiving tons of this material and spending many dollars trying to handle the worthless material...all in all NORCAL is doing a very good job handling plastic bags...Keep up the good work. Thanks, Leonard Vinci...Innovative Waste Solutions, Inc.

[mainemavin]

I find it strange that with all the media exposure to the growing problem of landfills, toxins from whatever is in them and them manufacture of plastics from a non-renewable source (including the fact that petroleum adds to envirornmental damage and economic damage) that more people do nothing to help the problem. I have been using large canvas bags for years. People see me doing this but I don't see many making the adjustment. My co-workers see me take their plastic water bottles from the trash to take home and recycle there. They all have the same option-they just don't. Many of these people that can't fit good envirornmental habits into their lives have children and grandchildren. If not for ouselves, how about for them. People say that my little efforts won't help. I say that if everyone did a little, it would add up to a lot. I hope people paid attention to todays segment. oh, thte ammunition for this weeks conversations at work. Thanks

[long_rider]

The White House is full of trash that needs to be thrown out. Not much recycling value though.

[dkb530]

My concern with plastics is what is it doing to our health? For one thing, soda doesn't taste the same as it did when it came in glass bottles. When our drinks and food stuffs come packaged in plastic, how safe are we? Can the plastic leak chemicals into the food and drink and cause cancer? Is that one reason we are seeing more and different kinds of health issues and cancer? I think it is definitely something we have to seriously consider.

[jonsteel31]

Your story on the plastics problem is excellent. The plastics industry continues to cover up its dirty little secrets. For example, most cars in the world are equipped with plastic fuel tanks. Within the past decade, plastic tanks replaced steel tanks. The dirty secret is that the plastic in the tanks will gradually become contaminated with gasoline, and as a result as the cars go out of service, the plastic tanks will be landfilled. There will be no recycling.

Steel tanks, as are steel cars, are 100 percent recycled. Recycling steel is profitable and some steel makers use 100 percent recycled steel to make new steel.

It is too bad that the plastics industry choosed to keep this issue covered up.

Jon Steel

[tao2nev]

I believe in recycling, but had no idea about the plastic bag problem. It would be so helpful if the recycling centers let the public know exactly what is good/not good for recycling. Also, some type of knocking-on-the-head of the average consumer to use large tote bags or cloth bags. Thanks for the info!