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Editor: 

As you probably already know, the disposition of solid wastes of all kinds is a major problem in this country. Suitable dump sites are filling up and a lot of usable material is being discarded needlessly. 

Some local governments are being urged by a state policy to recycle increasingly higher amounts of waste from both homeowners and businesses. Newspapers, cardboard, glass, cans and plastic are all able to be recycled. Food has not had much consideration in current recycling. 

But some cities have organizations which collect the edible or left-over unserved food for the poor and homeless. Some grocery stores make their produce, which has a high spoilage rate, available to community groups for the same distribution to the poor. 

One of the best forms of recycling is for homeowners and restaurants to put the kitchen trimmings and table scraps, salads, vegetables and fruits that do not include meat or fat, into separate containers for composting. Composting is a natural process where the proper mix of materials turns back into a fertilizer which is very valuable for the soil. 

Participation in local recycling programs would be excellent publicity for your restaurants and would receive support from most of your diners. I think you restaurant managers should contact your local governments to see if you can participate in efforts to recycle food materials. 

Charlie Smith 

Berkeley