(1) to initate and accelerate a national research
 and development program for new and improved methods
 of proper and economic solid-waste disposal,
 including studies directed toward the conservation of
 natural resources by reducing the amount of waste and
 unsalvageable materials and by recovery and utilization
 of potential resources in solid wastes; and

 (2) to provide technical and financial assistance to
 State and local governments and interstate agencies
 in the planning, development, and conduct of solid-
 waste disposal programs. (1)

 In 1966 the Office of Solid Wastes, later changed

to The Bureau of Solid Waste Management, and finally to

the Solid Waste Management Office, was founded by the

Federal government to deal with solid waste disposal

problems.

 The need for a government agency to deal with

the problem of solid waste disposal points to the effects

of abundance. Waste is waste only so long as it is cheap.

In the past, metals supplies have been ample and metals

costs low. Should metals costs increase in the future,

problems associated with solid waste disposal probably

will be greatly reduced.

 B.4 Apparent Consumption of Iron and Copper,
 and Iron and Copper in Use, 1900-1960

 While production figures for iron and copper

reflect demands made on domestic resources, apparent

consumption figures reflect the needs of the economy


 The Solid Waste Disposal Act, Title II of
Public Law 89-272, 89th Congress, S. 306 (1965).