Reinventing the Bureau of Mines?

摘要

The importance of recycling and ISRI's role in that regard were recognized by my appointment to the U.S. Bureau of Mines Advisory Board. The board held its first meeting in April, and the key task we faced was developing a consensus about the role for the bureau in a reinvented government. To enable realistic appraisal of that question, bureau staff briefed us on various programs-ranging from an abandoned mine inventory to health and safety issues dealing with such concerns as respirable dust, diesel particulates, noise, toxic fumes, and radiation-as they relate to the original mission of the agency, changes that have already been recorded, and changes that are being implemented. Though many of the efforts outlined at that presentation are clearly of interest to recycling, two programs discussed are of direct concern to this industry: the pollution prevention and control program and the materials research program, which include technology to reduce the volume of low-level radioactive materials, recycling of appliances, information to enhance regional opportunities for secondary recovery of materials, and development of substitute materials.