AF&PA Announces 2010 Paper Recovery Rate

The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) has announced the 2010 paper recovery rate during its annual event for members, known this year as Paper2011 and held in Chicago, Illinois.

From AF&PA, 

Thanks to the on-going daily efforts of millions of Americans, 63.5 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling in 2010.  The recovery rate in 2009 was 63.4 percent. Paper recovery for recycling has increased by 77% since 1990.

Recycling's benefits are well established and it is an activity that brings us all together through our small actions into a community effort with a big impact for a cleaner, healthier planet.  Environmental Paper Network's RePaper Project has been facilitating a dialogue for the past year between a diverse group of conservation organizations, the AF&PA and leading paper companies and other national leaders and government officials to explore new opportunities for collaboration to achieve this common goal to increase paper recovery and recycling.  As AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman stated this week, “Recycling is a true sustainability success story, bringing economic, environmental and social benefits to communities across the country.” 


The RePaper Project is recruiting companies, universities and others to join in this national effort to aggressively increase paper recovery by signing up for the RePaper Challenge.  

More statistics on paper recycling from the industry association can be found at www.paperrecycles.org.