Trouble With Recycling in Orange

* Re “Orange Suspects It’s Been Used by City Recycler,” June 15:

We are a family-owned recycling business that has operated in the city of Orange for almost 30 years. We have supported the Orange city schools, churches and many other organizations with tens of thousands of dollars in revenue through paper drives.

In the 1970s, we were the first to experiment with curbside recycling. At that time, it was not cost effective, and perhaps still isn’t today. In the early 1980s, we tried with limited success to set up satellite recycling centers in shopping centers and selected locations. If we could get the owners to agree, the city discouraged the plan by requiring thousands of dollars in environmental impact reports, signed permits, parking regulations, restrooms, handicap access, etc.

Now, due to the scare of rising tipping costs at landfills and the political correctness of recycling, everyone is getting involved in the process. After all, isn’t that the free market “American way” of doing business?

It is wrong to have Orange supplement a waste company that already has a monopoly, Orange Disposal Service, with taxpayer money and go into a joint venture with them in direct competition with me.

It is wrong to allegedly allow this company to invest taxpayer dollars for profit with the only return to taxpayers being a trash bill. It is wrong to allegedly use taxpayer money to help Orange Disposal buy trucks and build buildings for themselves.

It is wrong to use taxpayer money to hire “pseudo cops” to police the streets so no one will steal the precious material that residents sort for Orange Disposal. Perhaps the city could open its own hardware and stationery stores so they wouldn’t have to spend so much taxpayer money on supplies. Something is very wrong with this picture!

RICHARD P. LANE

Environmental Recycling Systems

Orange

* In a June 15 editorial, “Balance Must Be Struck on Taxes,” The Times laments the grave consequences now being suffered and those pending due to Orange County voters’ support of Propositions 13 and 218 and rejection of two cities’ recent request for new taxes.

In the same issue, on the front page, we are informed, once again, of more tax money wasted by elected city officials and bureaucrats in handling the city of Orange trash disposal and recycling program. Perhaps the confusion may be on your part!

DWIGHT E. CLARK

Orange