'Buy recycled' lacks science and sincerity
In his recent letter to the editor (`` `Buy recycled' needs backing of business,'' May 3, Page 8), Donald Brown of Pro-form Technologies Inc. asked, ``Is the `buy recycled' campaign merely another topic that has a great deal of symbolism with little substance?''
If it wasn't rhetorical, here's the answer: Yes, since ``buying recycled'' generally does not improve product performance or reduce cost or practically ``save the environment.'' For most enviropimps - and for darn near every elected official - symbolism trumps substance, because bad science dominates discussions and sound science has no media appeal.
George A. Makrauer
ComAd Management Group Inc.
Celebration, Fla.
PN's contributions valuable to reader
Congratulations on 15 years of contributions to the plastics industry. In my opinion, Plastics News provides a valuable service by informing our industry on all aspects of our business in a timely manner, both daily via the Internet and weekly via the publication. Prior to PN, word of mouth was the primary means of communication for news of the industry. We all know how reliable word of mouth is, especially after it is communicated several times.
PN has made significant contributions to our industry, including its annual rankings, Processor of the Year Award and by focusing on issues that we all face, not only domestically, but globally. From my view, two of PN's most significant contributions have been its focus on the impact of design and the global perspective.
Bob Grace's initiatives in bringing the IDSA/Plastics News Design Award into the SPI Structural Plastics Division's New Product Design Competition, and the addition of the Design Day conferences at the Plastics Encounter shows have increased the awareness of the key role design plays in our industry. The influence of industrial design and product design cannot be overemphasized, and we as an industry must understand how to integrate these critical elements of the product development process into our activities.
Now that all of our businesses are affected by global events, directly or indirectly, PN providing global news relating to our industry is a huge benefit. If each of us had to search the global news services ourselves, it would be a daunting, time-consuming task.
With the changes that have occurred since the inception of your publication, it is amazing that the core staff of Plastics News is still intact! This is a tribute to the management team and has played a significant role in maintaining the high level of information.
Again, congratulations to the entire Plastics News staff.
Jack Avery
GE Advanced Materials
Pittsfield, Mass
