Convenience goes beyond the curb I know that in the interest of fair play your publication must present both sides of an issue. However, Luke Schmidt's Perspective about bottle bills ("Returns are better with curb collection," May 1) is packed with half-truths and loaded language — not responsible, accurate facts.
First, it is evident from the experience in New York state that having options of returning containers to a collection site or using the curbside recycling program creates a situation in which people recycle containers at high rates. People will choose the option that's "convenient" for them, whether it is curbside recycling, a recycling drop-off or the local store. The consumer chooses whether to collect the deposit or not.
Deposit laws may be inconvenient for the bottlers and stores, but they are not inconvenient for individuals and families. All containers that are recycled must be clean, no matter how they are collected, so cleanliness is moot both in the home and at the collection point.
>From the story about the recent campaign in Kentucky, it is obvious that the plastics and bottling industries will spend vast amounts to keep the status quo; environmentalists and consumers be damned. I find it tiresome that the same inaccurate, emotional arguments are trotted out each time the issue is raised. Fortunately, people are not fooled, and the industry's resistance only serves to make those who understand more stubborn.
Marjorie T. Haizlip
Western Finger Lakes Solid Waste Management Authority
Lyons, N.Y.
Torlon assets still part of BP Amoco
With Plastics News' pickup of two separate news releases concerning BP Amoco's engineering polymers businesses in its May 1 issue ("BP Amoco to sell two businesses," Page 1; "DSM buys BP Amoco Torlon assets," Page 14), I would like to immediately dispel any confusion that may have arisen concerning the sale of our Torlon business assets.
DSM did not purchase our "Torlon assets" but only certain, specific compression molding equipment — a very small portion of our Torlon/Kadel parts ultraperformance asset base. This was the result of separate negotiations between DSM and BP Amoco that far predated our decision to offer for sale our entire engineering polymers portfolio that was reported on Page 1.
Readers and interested buyers in BP Amoco's high-performance engineering polymers should clearly understand that "Torlon assets" are certainly a robust part of the overall engineering polymers portfolio that is now for sale.
Patrick M. Franc
BP Amoco Chemicals
Alpharetta, Ga.