Busting a Dead-End Cycle

President Clinton’s signing last week of an executive order boosting the federal government’s use of recycled paper indicates that he understands the key role that markets play in the success of recycling.

In recent decades, Americans have become conscientious recyclers. So conscientious, in fact, that many of the 5,500 community recycling programs nationwide are now inundated with paper, plastic and aluminum waiting to be made into new products. That’s good: Landfill space is becoming scarce in many areas and there is growing worry that continued reliance on so-called “virgin” products will seriously deplete our natural resources.

But for all the cans and bottles stacking up at redemption centers, there are still too few steady markets for products that incorporate recycled or reused materials.

The prices paid for bundled newspapers and aluminum cans, for example, have plummeted; as a result, many recycling outfits are struggling financially. For recycling to make economic sense, there must be steady, profitable markets for recycled products.

Clinton’s order should make a big difference in this regard. The federal government buys about 300,000 tons of paper each year. The President has ordered federal agencies to buy paper stock made of at least 20% recycled material by 1994. By 1998 that minimum figure rises to 30%. Clinton also mandated that federal vehicles use more retread tires and recycled and re-refined motor oil.

The President believes that his order will create a strong market for these recycled materials. We do too.