| GRN Recycle Talk FAQ Answer |
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 97 10:51 WET DST From: FRIEDMAN.FRED@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV (Fred Friedman) Subject: Re: Publications dealing with recycling issues
July 9, 1997
Island recycling has been a very diverse issue in past years. In some larger islands, recycling industries have been established with no involvement of the mainland other than the supply of technology and occasionally, of markets. In others, all materials collected have been shipped to the mainland and are never seen again.
Hawaii and Puerto Rico are examples of the former. The Virgin Islands is an example of islands which collect and process one or two substances (glass and aluminum) on the island, but send everything else off island. Monhegan Island, Maine and Mt. Desert Island, Maine are islands which send everything off island.
Theoretically, there is no inherent reason to not be able to find markets on island for most recycled products or processing for throughput substances. Practically, this will of course, depend on local conditions. Let me give one example. If beach erosion has been a consistent island problem, there is in that problem an inherent market for some types of wastes which have
been shown to hinder erosion: materials like waste wood, compost, and scrap tires have proved to be erosion controls when processed and set up in certain ways.
I know of a consultant who has a great deal of experience with this question, but since I only know of one, I don t want to make a public recommendation. If your question involves employment possibilities for a consultant, call me at 617-565-3282 and we can make this connection privately.
The little literature of which I m aware inclues:
Recycling in Puerto Rico in WASTE AGE, 5/96.
Hawaii Dives into Recycling Collection: Collection in Difficult Places in WASTE AGE, 2/94
No Throw-Away Vacation: A US Virgin Islands Vacation Villa Made of Recycled and Reusable Products in AMERICAS, 9/93.
- Research Library for RCRA