Volume 6, Number 4
Oct 1993

Letters

To the Editor:

It is certainly a blow to encouraging the use of alkaline permanent paper that the recent executive order on government use of recycled products makes no mention of permanence or of the federal policy established by unanimous vote of the Congress in 1990--Public Law 101-423. That law led the way in the world and provided a model for much state legislation.

Unfortunately, the executive order seems to have been the result of backstage lobbying, especially by paper manufacturers and commercial recyclers, and perhaps environmental groups, rather than by an open process of public hearings. The American Library Association and other groups with a knowledge of the United States permanence problem did make their views known, as did at least one senior senator; but their voices seem to have been drowned out.

However, all is not lost. Reconsideration of the pertinent provisions of the order can and should be pressed. There is time. The 20% post-consumer waste content for government purchases of paper comes into effect "beginning December 31, 1994," more than a year from now.

I would suggest that the organizations which urged the enactment of Public Law 101-423 (which included several federal agencies) consider taking the following steps:

One. Undertake promptly a survey of paper manufacturers to determine how much paper is now available that meets the requirements both of permanence, such as the ANSI standard, and a minimum of 20% post-consumer waste. I would hope that Abbey Publications would cooperate.

Two. Ask the several Federal organizations involved, such as the White House environmental office, the General Services Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency, to hold a public session at which interested organizations could ask questions about the interpretation which will be given to various provisions of the executive order, some of which lend themselves to more than one reading.

Three. Request the three agencies which are required by law to make a progress report to the Congress by December 31, 1993, on the implementation of Public Law 101-423 to include in that report the effect the executive order will have on carrying out the policy of that public law.

Four. Consider requesting an appropriate committee of the Congress to hold a public hearing on recycling and permanent paper, after the survey has been made and after the December 31, 1993, report pursuant to Public Law 101-423.

[Editor's note: Robert W. Frase, former federal official and vice president and economist of the Association of American Publishers, has had long experience with Washington battles, including the origination and enactment of Public Law 101-423, in which he played a leading role. For his efforts on behalf of libraries he was made an Honorary Life member of the American Library Association in 1991.]