Document bqVg5KGdEnX5jOgD5d7DKQd1

Communique from the First Tripartite Conference The Vinyl Industry September 2-4, 1992 Washington, D.C., This statement is issued jointly by the Japan PVC Association, the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers, and the Vinyl Institute representing members in North and South America. It was prepared at the conclusion of their three-day meeting, bringing together 50 representatives of the industry. Together, we will intensify our efforts to see that the social benefits of vinyl products are recognized throughout the world. For more than half a century, vinyl has made life better in health care, in housing and construction, in packaging, in transporta tion, and in many other ways. Global society is well served by a healthy PVC industry. We reaffirm our ongoing commitment to be good stewards of our products and to meet our environmental responsibilities. We believe that environmental protection and economic development are not incompatible and, in fact, are fundamentally linked. Independent scientific analyses of PVC (vinyl) products over their life cycles and risk assessment along the entire manufacturing and application chain show clearly that PVC products can be used and disposed of safely without adverse effects to the environment To that end, we are committed to developing systems and technology to recycle waste PVC products to meet the particular needs in each country. At the same time, we intend to continue development of technology for safe and economicallybeneficial incineration of waste PVC products. We will provide the public with accurate information on disposal of PVC waste, particularly the costs associated with disposal. Understanding true costs is essential to creating lasting recycling programs. CTL007068 We will urge our governments to base their environmental policies on both good science and common-sense economics, using independent studies to provide essential information. Finally, we intend to continue close communication within our industry around the globe. By sharing information and technology, we can meet both our environmental and other societal challenges in a way that will improve the quality of life for people everywhere. rrnrrrrirrirrnrr For Further Information: Robert Burnett Executive Director The Vinyl Institute (201) 890-9299 or David Meeker Edward Howard & Co. (216) 376-6500 (work) (216) 864-2536 (home) CTL007069