Harvard Ecology Action Group To Recycle Bottles and Metals

Harvard Ecology Action will begin a program to recycle glass and metal tomorrow, Charles G. Garlow '71-4, co-president of the group, said yesterday.

Five barrels will be placed in the areas in each of the Houses now used for the recycling of paper only, except for Leverett House. Leverett House has no available area suitable for the collection of recyclable materials.

Amber and green colored glass, as well as clear glass, will be accepted for recycling. It is not necessary, Garlow said, for the labels or the metal rings from twist top bottles to be removed.

Harvard Ecology Action will accept all kinds of scrap metal and will sell it for $10 a ton. Aluminum, which sells for $200 a ton, will be collected in separate containers.

Paper Drive Successful

Garlow said yesterday that the paper recycling program, initiated in October, has been very successful. The group now collects from 3 to 4 tons of paper each week.

With the paper shortage, the cost of newsprint has risen, causing the selling price of recyclable paper to rise from $8 per ton last spring to $25 per ton.

Because of the increase in price, Harvard Ecology Action, which receives a subsidy of $60 per week from the Department of Buildings and Grounds for its activities, is now able to pay its workers $3.00 per hour.

In addition to the cost of labor, the group must pay $25 each week for the rental of a truck.

The group planned the new recycling program to coincide with Earth Day. Harvard Ecology Action, as well as other ecology groups, will be present at the Earth Day activities today at the Boston Common.