Sir, It is with great regret that I write to draw attention to a backward step in aluminium can recycling in Ireland.
As a school we are but a small player, salvaging about 7,000 cans a year. However, even this figure is going to be drastically reduced as on presenting our last batch we were apologetically informed that 90 per cent of these were steel based and therefore commercially nonviable.
Apart from the added physical effort henceforth involved in separating the recyclable from the non recyclable cans (which on present experience means. C&C steel, CocoCola OK!), of more serious concern is the damage dealt to our environmental education programme. It makes a complete mockery of the concept of can recycling.
I ask the questions. Is the production of non recyclable cans within EU policy? What pressure is being put on errant manufacturers by the Government and by the Green Party? I implore all environmentally aware people to give non recyclable cans permanent shelf life. - Yours, etc., Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Co Dublin.