The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

Write for Us
Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor, send us an op-ed pitch or check out our open positions for the chance to be published by the Daily Utah Chronicle.
@TheChrony
Print Issues
Write for Us
Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor, send us an op-ed pitch or check out our open positions for the chance to be published by the Daily Utah Chronicle.
@TheChrony
Print Issues

Letter: Recycling program needs more thought

Editor:

I am responding to Dustin Gardiner’s article (“Recycling plan carries $310,000 price tag: Proposal would expand program campus-wide,” Feb. 12). Being one who fancies recycling, it would be quite prudent prior to the authorization approval of the $310,000 to consider the following suggestion.

First, set up a center for the study of recycling economics. Recycling involves “feedstock for spec,” thus the same market economics that affect corn affect-say, newsprint. I will predict with a fair amount of certainty that if the U puts down the money first that a yearly subsidy will be needed to keep this program afloat.

Do not get me wrong: Recycling is a fine way for a society to proceed, but the market forces of supply and demand MUST be appreciated. Most recycling projects have failed economically; I do not know of any that pay their own way! Let us, the U, STUDY the market first. It needs notation that for such a project to break above break even, the concept of STORAGE of recyclables on an ONGOING basis again MUST be part of the equation for success. I want the U to do recycling in a serious way that has a black bottom line. If the U proceeds without a market study of these commodities, failure is a GIVEN!

Remember: Whether it is winter wheat, crude oil, used tires, cardboard stock or perhaps frozen wombats, there is a standard procedure for determining the market value. By market definition, I hope to focus on the LOCAL markets, but other markets might prove more fiscally feasible, especially on a contractual basis.

Richard Goldberger

Senior, Film Studies

Leave a Comment

Comments (0)

The Daily Utah Chronicle welcomes comments from our community. However, the Daily Utah Chronicle reserves the right to accept or deny user comments. A comment may be denied or removed if any of its content meets one or more of the following criteria: obscenity, profanity, racism, sexism, or hateful content; threats or encouragement of violent or illegal behavior; excessively long, off-topic or repetitive content; the use of threatening language or personal attacks against Chronicle members; posts violating copyright or trademark law; and advertisement or promotion of products, services, entities or individuals. Users who habitually post comments that must be removed may be blocked from commenting. In the case of duplicate or near-identical comments by the same user, only the first submission will be accepted. This includes comments posted across multiple articles. You can read more about our comment policy at https://dailyutahchronicle.com/comment-faqs/.
All The Daily Utah Chronicle Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *