More used paper collectors needed

More used paper collectors needed

JAKARTA (JP): Aikon magazine, which specializes in advertising
events and programs in the country's big cities, is inviting used
paper collectors to cooperate in the used paper collection
business.

The magazine's spokeswoman, Ukke Kosasih, said Wednesday that
cooperation of partners was needed in order to collect the
increasing volume of used paper from both offices and households
in the city.

Quoting a survey stating that the volume of used paper in the
city reached 695.5 tons per day, Ukke said that the magazine
received a tremendous response from companies over its initiative
to collect used paper from them for recycling.

The companies mostly agreed to donate used paper that they no
longer needed, she said.

She said the magazine had volunteered in the collection of
used paper, to be sold for recycling. "The funds from sales will
be used to finance the organization of a cultural show at the
Jakarta Playhouse next month," she said.

"We once realized that Aikon's office could not accommodate
tons of used paper thrown away by a company on Jl. Sudirman," she
said at a meeting with media and groups of environmentalists.

She also said the magazine would launch a Paper Week campaign
starting June 29. The campaign program includes providing
information on paper collecting, a recycling demo and a bazaar at
the Jakarta Playhouse.

A study by a non-governmental organization, Kelompok Peduli
Jakarta 1996, showed that new superblocks currently under
construction in the Golden Triangle area (Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Gatot
Subroto and the Kuningan area) are projected to increase the
volume of used paper by 40 percent.

Recycling was the best way to handle used paper, Ukke said.

By recycling one ton of paper, the country could save about 17
trees, she said.

"A piece of used paper can be recycled seven times, so don't
throw solid waste away," she said. (03)