Cut Down on Plastic

In honor of Earth Day, may I extend to the Los Angeles Times both an orchid and, unfortunately, a small onion?

First, an orchid for your strong support of resource recycling and conservation. These goals make increasing economic as well as environmental sense, and your support is greatly appreciated.

However, could I encourage you to include conservation a bit more in your procedures (and save money at the same time)?

I am referring to the fact that my home delivered copy of The Times arrives every day, rain or shine, encased in a plastic bag. Since in San Diego there are far more shiny days than rainy ones, the expenditure on plastic bags is perhaps three or four times greater than it needs to be. Why such a waste? (I imagine you’ll delete this sentence, but I can’t help noting that the Union wraps in plastic only on rain-potential days.)

In talking to other Times recipients, they say their copies only arrive in plastic on rainy (or threatening) days. Thus, to wrap or not must be the choice of the local route carrier. I appreciate their concern, but on most days those carriers that always wrap are just wasting their own time and our natural resources. And I must lug the bags to the recycling center.

How about a service-area-wide policy, applicable on all routes, that The Times will be wrapped in plastic only on rainy days, or on those when rain is forecast?

PHILIP R. PRYDE

San Diego

Editor’s note: The Times’ policy is to “bag” papers only under the conditions you suggest, unless requested by a subscriber. However, delivery agents may use their discretion to avoid damage to papers from dew, sprinkler systems or ocean moisture. The Times is now field-testing biodegradeable bags.