I have been following the ESC's proposal to implement a 100 percent campus-wide recycled paper program. I have a few contentions with the ESC's stance on this issue.

First of all, I'd like to introduce my background with this issue. I come from the Seattle area -- full of what my friends affectionately call ``tree-huggers.'' Coming from such a pro-environment area, I have definitely been influenced by environmentalists. At Calvin it seems that I more often then not have to defend these environmentalists for all the fine work that they do to protect our lush, green environs of the Northwest. And if anyone has seen the natural beauty of the west and, specifically, the northwest, he would not be surprised at how vehemently environmentalists try to protect their lands.

I would say that on many issues I agree with the ideals of those who wish to keep the environment pure and clean. My family always recycles, I assiduously cut the rings that come on six packs for fear of what might become of the birds and fish that stumble across these entangling traps.

Because of my affinity with the environmentalist causes, I feel I need to defend those who stand up for those causes. In this case, I feel that, surprisingly, I must defend the true environmentalists from the ESC. While the ESC may have good intentions, they certainly haven't done as much research as they claim to in the article published in Chimes Sept. 28. If they had, they would have realized that many paper-manufacturing companies are some of the biggest environmentalists in the US. Tacoma is home of one of the biggest paper manufacturers, Weyerhaeuser. Because of my proximity to its headquarters, I know that it does a lot to protect the environment. For every tree it cuts down, it plants another. It supports many recycling programs and does its fair share of recycling. Weyerhaeuser doesn't just help the American forests, but also works with foreign nations to help them start their own forestry system and to teach them environmental stewardship. I am convinced that companies like Weyerhaeuser are conserving our natural resources and keeping our environment clean. If you don't believe me, check their web page at www.wyerhaeuser.com.

Western Washington has always been viewed as a vast resource of lumber and trees. Seattle started as a milling town, and the city was literally built on logs that the citizens used to fill in the Puget Sound to make more room for the city. However, Seattle and Western Washington have plenty of trees left. ESC seems to postulate that cutting down trees and using new paper is tantamount to a complete disregard for the environment. On the contrary, Seattle is the most environmentally friendly city that I have ever seen and yet it also houses the nation's biggest paper-products manufacturer.

Because using new paper isn't nearly as bad for the environment as ESC says it is, I think we ought to look at the situation pragmatically. Why spend double on recycled paper (which hasn't been proven to be any better environmentally than new paper)? Why spend so much money on administrative costs and on new equipment?

Just as strongly as ESC urges you to support their 100 percent recycled paper program, I urge you to oppose this new policy. In short, their policy will only waste tuition dollars and undermine those who truly are stewards of the environment.

Jesse Bradley