To the editors:
Dale Alekel-Carlson is quite right when she says we all need to recycle and reuse things more, and to reduce wastes generated at the source [Neighborhood News, October 30]. However, she is all wrong–DEAD wrong–when she says, “We should incinerate what we can’t recycle.” There are many materials which release toxic gases when they are burned, such as styrofoam. Earth’s atmosphere is already suffering from this quick-fix attitude that focuses, apparently, only on the volume of solid wastes, rather than their content or the overall picture.
A much better idea is for manufacturers to be forced, preferably economically but legally if necessary, to use recyclable and/or nonhazardous materials (paper, glass, wood, cellophane, etc) for their merchandise and especially its containers.
M. Wiesinger
Earth First!
Chicago