Recyclables Exchanged In Cyberspace

WORLD WASTES STAFF

Chicago - Most recycled materials are dropped into plastic bins. Now, thanks to the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Recyclables Exchange, they can be dropped into space - cyberspace that is.

What is reportedly the first electronic marketplace debuted April 22 to provide buyers and sellers with better access and a cost-effective means for global recyclables trade. The CBOT Internet address is http://www.cbot.com.

The Exchange was established last October to meet industry demand. Increased interest worldwide convinced the CBOT to begin an international outreach effort by conducting a series of workshops throughout Europe.

CBOT Chairman Patrick H. Arbor said, "The growth of the Recyclables Exchange has more than exceeded our expectations. Based on feedback from the international recycling community, our launch on the In-ternet was the necessary next step."

Since the launch, the exchange has listed more than 88 tons of plastic, glass and paper. The subscriber base has grown to more than 140 companies, municipalities and non-profit recyclers, and an additional 600 use the system as "guests," with the ability to simply view the site.

The CBOT Recyclables Exchange, created by the CBOT Recycling Partnership, is the result of a three-year effort to provide market-based solutions to environmental concerns. The Partnership includes the CBOT, the National Recycling Coali-tion's Recycling Advisory Council, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New York State Office of Recycling Market Development and the Clean Washington Center in Seattle.