Friday, January 9, 2009

VANGLOBE BLOCKS INVESTIGATIONS

Vanglobe blocks investigations into industry poly tank recycling claims

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Mr Trent Farleigh of the Vanglobe Group has blocked investigations into industry recycling claims by Don Matthews, leader of the newly formed environment group the Australian Poly Tank Concerned Individuals Group. Why?

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From: Don Matthews [mailto:donmatthews7@gmail.com]
8 December 2008
To: Trent Farleigh
Subject: Tony Mercieca

I believe Tony Mercieca no longer works for Vanglobe as technical manager. Do you have a contact email address for him?

Thanks

Don Matthews

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From Trent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
To donmatthews7@gmail.com
Dec 8, 2008
RE: Tony Mercieca


Hi Don

Your information is right that Tony has left Vanglobe.

Don are you still bagging polyethylene tanks in the market as most of our customers have reported.


Trent Farleigh
National Sales Manager



From Don Matthews
To Trent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
Dec 10, 2008
Re: Tony Mercieca


Dear Trent,

I am pleased you have made contact. I would like to say a few things and ask some questions.

1. Leisa would have informed you that I am conducting a private research project on the recycling UV degraded (spent) tanks, hence my questions to the industry. What began simply out of interest and curiosity has snowballed into a 'can of worms' so it seems. The response of the industry, particularly Leisa Donlan CEO of ARMA has prompted me to investigate this further with some interesting results.

Leisa has probably also told you that I am considering publishing my work. There seems to be quite a deal of interest being shown in it which hopefully will be of benefit to everyone.

2. Could you please give me the name of your new Technical Manager so that I may continue the discussion I was having with your previous Manager. Tony seemed well qualified to help me and hopefully your new replacement will be able to help.

3. Perhaps you could answer the following three questions I am now putting to the industry?

QUESTION 1

Sunlight eventually breaks down plastic making it brittle and lose all its strength. The long-chain polymer molecules which allow plastic to be moulded and give it its strength and rigidity are ruptured by UV light. No amount of added UV stabilizers will prevent the chemical degradation process from occurring. Essentially the plastic disintegrates and loses all its properties. As a result I don't see how it is possible to then remould it into other products. Is the correct?

QUESTION 2

Would I be correct in saying that polyethylene plastic currently being recycled is only clean plastic such as factory scraps, seconds etc and not fully UV degraded (spent) plastic ?

QUESTION 3

If I am not correct (and I am more than happy to be put right) and fully UV degraded plastic is actually being remoulded what evidence is there to support this? What process is being used and what products is the spent plastic being turned into?


Don Matthews

APTCIG
Australian Poly Tank Concerned Individuals Group
asking questions, recording responses, drawing conclusions




from Don Matthews
to
Trent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
cc Leisa Donlan

Dec 16, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Re: Tony Mercieca



Good Afternoon Trent,

As already mentioned I am conducting a research project into the 'recycling' of UV-degraded poly tanks.

I was in the process of discussing this with your Technical Manager Tony Mercieca when he suddenly stopped responding.

You have informed me that he is no longer working for Vanglobe and I have already asked you for the name and email address of his replacement but you have not obliged.

For the second time, please email me this information. I wish to ask some questions.

Don Matthews
APTCIG
Australian Poly Tank Concerned Individuals Group
asking questions, recording responses, drawing conclusions

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From Trent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
todonmatthews7@gmail.com

cc ldonlan@rotationalmoulding.com

Dec 17, 2008
RE: Tony Mercieca


No

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From Don Matthews
toTrent.Farleigh@vanglobe.com.au
Dec 17, 2008
Re: Tony Mercieca



Dear Trent,

Is this a wise move?

You are making a deliberate attempt to block the enquiries of a concerned member of the public engaged in a serious research project into industry recycling claims.

You know I am considering publishing my work which eventually will find its way all over Australia. Every response you make is being documented and will be out in the open for public scrutiny.

How you proceed is up to you.

Don Matthews
APTCIG
Australian Poly Tank Concerned Individuals Group

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There has been no response to this so I am now making my views widely known












3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Every response you make is being documented and will be out in the open for public scrutiny."

How do you expect him to make any response after a threat like that? No wonder he is ignoring you.

Anonymous said...

I admire your mission for the truth.I believe in the urgent need for zero waste to help ameliorate climate change. Plastic use is only viable when its recycling [better still, closed-loop-recycling] is practised. To get to this point we urgently need Extended Producer Responsibility [EPR] whereby manufacturers and importers are required to 'take back' their products tracked by means of a take-back-deposit system. If the plastics etc industry cannot use the returned material they would be required to pay the full cost at the garbage tip. Only products made for repair/re-use/closed loop recycling would be economically viable. In a short period industry would redesign and re-manufacture zero waste into their products. Too easy!
Your action helps to wake us up to industry's tricks of the trade. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Mr Matthews
I have followed your entire blog with increasing alarm at the escalation of your ranting paranoid behavior, both on line and on the street.
It's OK to be passionate about issues but to become a serial pest bordering on a psychopath is something altogether different.
I think you need to take a chill pill.