RECYCLING EFFORT TAKES ROOT; STATE PROJECT TRADES TREES FOR NEWSPRINT

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Although only a small number of residents have taken advantage of a "papers to trees" recycling project here, state officials are optimistic the campaign will be successful.

State Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, said she is pleased Cape Girardeau has been included in the Department of Natural Resource's project to recycle newsprint by offering coupons for trees in exchange for a three-foot stack of newspapers.

The coupons are redeemable in April.

"I'm really very pleased that we were chosen to be a part of this program," Kasten said. "I'm also pleased that Cape Girardeau is looking at the issue of recycling.

"I think that when the publicity picks up, we will do more. The residents of Cape Girardeau always respond well to good projects like this."

Kasten joined Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, and Bob Jackson, director of the DNR's Division of Energy, Saturday at Cape Girardeau's Public Works Building to promote the recycling project.

Jackson said the papers-to-trees campaign has not been particularly well-received in the area. Out of 1,500 available coupons, only about 50 have been distributed.

"The numbers are down statewide, due mostly to the weather and a lack of publicity," Jackson said.

He said the program, initially planned only for the month of January, might be continued next month to assure all the coupons are disbursed.

"We will make a determination next week on whether to extend the program at least a couple weeks and maybe through the month of February," Jackson said.

"The big problem for the city is manpower, and we're looking at the possibility of maybe getting some state park rangers to man it."

Jackson said individuals, families, school classes or groups, and church or civic groups all can take part in the program.

Each person or group will receive a coupon redeemable for an ash, red maple or thornless hackberry tree for each three-foot stack of newspapers they bring in. Each group or individual is limited to two coupons.

The trees, valued at $20-$25 each, will be delivered to Arena Park in Cape Girardeau for distribution to coupon-holders April 4-6.

Jackson said the newsprint collected through the project will be recycled for use as cellulose insulation.

"It keeps the paper from going into landfills, and allows people to plant trees that will help conserve energy," he said. "Also, the papers are used to make cellulose insulation, which is used in homes to improve energy efficiency."

He said the program is part of the DNR's Operation TREE (Trees Renew Energy and the Environment). In accordance with Operation TREE, the DNR also is planting trees in state parks and requiring people who reclaim mining lands to plant trees.

Glenda Quinn of the League of Women Voters in Cape Girardeau County is working with the Public Works Department to help administer the city's recycling efforts.

Quinn said she's confident that public interest in the "papers-to-trees" campaign will increase.

"It's been slow, but I'm sure it will pick up as people become more aware of the project," she said.

The program is available for any Missouri resident. Quinn said people can exchange their newspapers for tree coupons weekdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Deposits also can be made from 10-2 Saturday, Jan. 26.

Quinn said the limited hours available to deposit the newspapers may have contributed to the program's slow start. "But when you're working with volunteers, that's about all you can do," she added.

About 15 volunteers from the League of Women Voters and Earth Day '90 have worked with the Public Works Department in administering the program.

Kasten said the program is a "wonderful start" to improving the environment and encouraging recycling.

"The whole ecology cycle is going to be improved through these types of programs, and Cape Girardeau always works to create awareness and then goes forward to make these projects work," she said.

Kasten also brought a stack of newspapers to the Public Works Department building Saturday. She said she likely will redeem her coupon for a red maple.

Schwab said the DNR program helps people "visualize" the positive effects of recycling.

"Once the trees are planted, they will be there to kind of remind them of what recycling means," he said. "Just the idea is good because we need to make people aware of the need to recycle. Landfills in the state certainly are numbered."

Schwab said as more and more people become involved in recycling their own refuse, markets for the materials will expand.

"I think the markets will develop once the supply is there," he said. "There needs to be a supply for someone even to develop a process to recycle some of these materials in an efficient manner."

Jackson said the papers-to-trees project will cost about $500,000. He said money for the program comes from the state's Oil Overcharge Fund. The fund is derived from fines levied against major oil companies that have overcharged consumers.

"There aren't any taxpayer dollars being used for this program," he said. "The money from the fines must be used for environmental projects."

Jackson said the DNR hopes to distribute 15,000 trees statewide through the program.