SOLID-WASTE POLICY SHOULD BE DIRECTED BY FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES, NOT ILL-FOUNDED FEELINGS

This paper first reviews underlying misconceptions about landfill and incinerator safety that lead to public rejection of these solid waste management methods. It then briefly analyzes the widespread application of recycling programs as a more politically attractive approach to dealing with the garbage crisis. Next, state and local solid waste initiatives designed to support recycling are examined. Proposed changes to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act are summarized and critiqued, next. The final section suggests using two basic principles to determine appropriate roles for the varying levels of government. These two fundamental principles are economic and political in nature. To meet the basic objective of solid waste management - to protect public health and welfare while effectively dealing with the volumes of solid waste generated - requires that management methods be cost-effective. Secondly, to allow for geographic and demographic differences around the nation, decision-making should occur at the lowest level of government possible. Applying these principles would reduce the widening web of solid waste regulation and produce public policy that addresses the real issues rather than ill-founded public fears.