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THE LEGAL FRONT

Latin America is passing recycling laws at an impressive clip, according to an update published by Raymond Communications Inc., College Park, Md.

More than a half dozen Latin American nations are pursuing new recycling policies that could greatly affect the nature of packaging used in those countries, as well as the generation, export and import of scrap materials.

A new 145-page report compiled by Keith Ripley covers legislative acts and other policy initiatives in 19 Latin American and Caribbean nations.

The report, "Solid Waste and Recycling in Latin America: Trends and Policies," is available for $320. Initiatives include:

• Brazil extending producer responsibility laws beyond batteries and tires to packaging materials

• Mexico’s consideration of take-back laws for PET beverage containers

• Peru possibly mandating recycling programs for packaging

• Argentina possibly banning the use of PVC for beverage containers.

Those interested in more information or in ordering the report can visit the Raymond Communications Web site at www.raymond.com.

ELECTRONICS EFFORTS AWARDED

The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA), Little Ferry, N.J., has received an Environmental Quality Award from the U.S. EPA for its computer and electronics recycling program.

The BCUA allows county residents to drop off unwanted computers, monitors, printers, keyboards, fax machines, speakers and cables any weekday morning, by appointment. The authority also hosts collection events periodically.

According to BCUA solid waste manager Mark Vangieri, the collected electronic equipment goes to Supreme Computer Recycling Inc., Lakewood, N.J. "They’re an approved New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection demanufacturer," he notes.

The BCUA collected more than 100,000 pounds of electronic equipment during 2001 and has already collected 29,000 pounds in the first quarter of this year.

The U.S. EPA Environmental Quality Award goes to companies, organizations and individuals "who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to protecting and enhancing the environmental quality" of their communities.

ENERGY BOOST

Highly-caffeinated energy drinks are providing a boost not only to young people keeping late hours, but also to the aluminum industry.

So-called "energy drinks" such as Red Bull, Venom, KMX and 180 have grown wildly in popularity in North America in the past two years. The energy-boosting beverages are most commonly sold in aluminum cans, often in an 8.2-ounce "slim" can.

According the The Aluminum Association in its periodical Aluminum Now, there are now more than 30 brands of energy drinks on the market with $275 million in annual sales.

Whether the popularity of the drinks will continue to grow is uncertain, but the major beverage companies are not taking any chances on missing out. Some of the aforementioned energy drinks are put out by such industry giants as Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola, Snapple and Anheuser-Busch.

Yet to be heard from are government regulators, who may eventually issue some guidelines as to how many and what amount of active ingredients can be safely used in one energy drink serving.

In the meantime, though, aluminum can makers (and recyclers, hopefully) are enjoying the tide of new can production and can recycling opportunities created by the high-energy beverage segment.