December 1, 2009
Beverage Container Recycling Woes
California's beverage container recycling program has been struggling because of the recession, increasing redemption rates and state borrowing from the program to the tune of over $400 million, including $99 million this year alone. Also in trouble are at-risk youths employed at recycling facilities, some of whom will lose their jobs because of cuts.
Host: Michael Krasny
Guests:
- Adrian White, president of Tomra Pacific Inc.
- Dave Heylen, spokesperson for the California Grocers Association
- H.D. Palmer, deputy director of external affairs for the California Department of Finance
- Joanna Lennon, CEO of Civicorps Schools, formerly known as the East Bay Conservation Corps
- Susan Collins, executive director of the Container Recycling Institute, a research and educational institute promoting programs and policies that increase the recycling of containers and shift costs from government and taxpayers to producers and consumers
http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R912010900